View source for Office of Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs

{{Organization
|OrganizationName=Office of Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs
|OrganizationType=Executive Departments (Sub-organization)
|Mission=The Office of the Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs within the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is tasked with ensuring the safety, reliability, and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile through scientific research, engineering, and stockpile stewardship. Its mission includes maintaining nuclear deterrence capabilities while promoting nonproliferation.
|ParentOrganization=National Nuclear Security Administration
|TopOrganization=Department of Energy
|CreationLegislation=National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000
|Budget=Part of NNSA's budget, specifics not publicly detailed
|OrganizationExecutive=Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs
|Services=Nuclear Weapons Management; Research; Stockpile Stewardship
|HeadquartersLocation=38.88715, -77.02594
|HeadquartersAddress=1000 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20585, USA
}}
'''Office of Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs (NNSA)''' is responsible for overseeing the management and security of the United States' nuclear weapons stockpile. This office, part of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) within the Department of Energy, focuses on ensuring the nation's nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure, and effective through scientific research, engineering, and stockpile stewardship activities.

==Mission==

The mission of the Office of the Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs is to maintain and enhance the safety, reliability, and performance of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile. Through the Stockpile Stewardship Program, they conduct research, development, testing, and certification without nuclear explosive testing, aiming to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons while ensuring deterrence capabilities<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/defense-programs |title=Defense Programs |publisher=U.S. Department of Energy |access-date=January 27, 2025}}</ref>.

==Parent organization==

This office is housed within the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which is itself part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.energy.gov/nnsa |title=National Nuclear Security Administration |publisher=DOE |access-date=January 27, 2025}}</ref>.

==Legislation==

The NNSA, including the Office of Defense Programs, was established by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000, which restructured the management of the U.S. nuclear weapons program<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-106publ65/pdf/PLAW-106publ65.pdf |title=National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2000 |publisher=U.S. Government Publishing Office |access-date=January 27, 2025}}</ref>.

==Partners==

* DOE laboratories for research and development.
* Defense Department for alignment with military needs.
* International partners for non-proliferation efforts.

==Number of employees==

The exact number of employees in the Office of Defense Programs isn't specified, but it involves numerous scientists, engineers, and administrative staff across NNSA's operations.

==Organization structure==

The structure includes:

===Leader===

The office is led by the Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs.

===Divisions===

* Stockpile Management for overseeing the nuclear arsenal.
* Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation for advancing weapon technology.
* Secure Transportation for the safe movement of nuclear materials.

==List of programs==

* Stockpile Stewardship Program for weapons maintenance and certification.
* Life Extension Programs for updating nuclear weapons.
* Advanced Simulation and Computing for modeling nuclear explosions.

==Last total enacted budget==

Detailed budget specifics for the Office of Defense Programs are not publicly itemized, but it's part of NNSA's significant budget allocation for nuclear security.

==Staff==

This office employs a range of experts from scientists to security specialists, but exact numbers are not documented.

==Funding==

Funding for the Office of Defense Programs comes from the DOE's budget, specifically through NNSA allocations, which are part of the annual federal budget process.

==Services provided==

The office provides services related to the lifecycle management of nuclear weapons, including research into new technologies, safety assessments, weapon certification, and ensuring the security of nuclear materials and technology<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/defense-programs |title=Defense Programs |publisher=U.S. Department of Energy |access-date=January 27, 2025}}</ref>.

==Regulations overseen==

While not directly responsible for creating regulations, the office ensures compliance with nuclear safety and security standards in its operations, which are guided by various federal laws and international treaties.

==Headquarters address==

1000 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20585, USA

==History==

The Office of Defense Programs has its roots in the post-World War II era when the U.S. began managing its nuclear arsenal. Its current form within the NNSA was solidified with the establishment of NNSA in 2000, focusing on modernizing the approach to nuclear weapon stewardship in the post-Cold War world<ref>{{cite web |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Nuclear_Security_Administration |title=National Nuclear Security Administration * Wikipedia |access-date=January 27, 2025}}</ref>.

==External links==

* [https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/defense-programs Defense Programs at NNSA]
* [https://www.energy.gov/nnsa National Nuclear Security Administration]
* [https://www.energy.gov/ Department of Energy]
* [[wikipedia:National Nuclear Security Administration]]

==References==

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