Newly declassified data shows that as of September 2023, the US had a stockpile of 3,748 nuclear warheads. The most recent numbers show an 88% reduction since 1967, when the US stockpile peaked at 31,255 warheads.
From 1994 to 2023, the US dismantled 12,088 warheads, while an additional 2,000 weapons have been retired and are currently awaiting dismantlement.
Where does the US keep its nuclear weapons?
Nuclear missiles and strategic nuclear bombers are distributed across at least eight states — precise locations are classified. The weapons and equipment necessary to launch nuclear strikes are spread across land, air, and sea to deliver a rapid response at any time, per the US Nuclear Triad.
The US nuclear triad is America’s three-pronged approach to nuclear deterrence:
- land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs),
- submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and
- nuclear-capable strategic bombers.
This creates a diversified and resilient nuclear capability that is difficult for adversaries to neutralize.
Subscribe to get unbiased, data-driven insights sent to your inbox weekly.
ICBMs are kept in three air force bases — F.E. Warren, Malmstrom, and Minot. The US also stockpiles gravity nuclear weapons that can be used in nuclear-capable aircraft at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.
When they’re not at sea, America’s 14 nuclear submarines are stationed at Naval Base Kitsap in Washington State and King’s Bay Naval Base in Georgia. This fleet currently carries 54% of the nation’s nuclear arsenal.
Finally, the US has 66 nuclear-capable bombers — 46 B-52H Stratofortress and 20 B-2A Spirit aircraft — are held at Barksdale and Whiteman Air Force Bases in Louisiana and Missouri.
Who manages America’s nuclear weapons?
America’s nuclear weapons infrastructure is managed by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency of the Department of Energy, charged with the safety, security, and effectiveness of the US nuclear weapons stockpile.
Their responsibilities include:
- producing nuclear and nonnuclear components
- research and testing
- warhead assembly and disassembly
- support operations
NNSA oversees 16 facilities nationwide. Six of these facilities produce and assemble materials and components for nuclear weapons; and four research, develop, and test new atomic weapon technologies.
Which countries have nuclear weapons?
According to the US, eight countries possess and have tested nuclear weapons, the US (in 1945), Russia (1949), Great Britain (1952), France (1960), China (1964), India (1974), Pakistan (1998), and North Korea (2006).
An assessment conducted in May 2025 by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) estimated nuclear stockpiles for two of the eight countries:
- China's nuclear weapons are thought to exceed 600 operational warheads, and
- Russia is thought to have 1,500 deployed strategic and 2,000 non-strategic (or tactical) nuclear warheads.
How many times has the US tested nuclear weapons?
Outside of combat, the US and other countries have detonated thousands of nuclear weapons during weapons testing. The US conducted 1,054 atomic tests from 1945 to 1992, at which point it stopped nuclear testing completely.
The US remains the only nation to deploy nuclear weapons in a conflict, dropping two nuclear bombs on Japan in 1945, during World War II.
Intervention to limit nuclear testing
The US is a signatory to several treaties designed to limit nuclear testing. The 1963 Limited Test Ban Treaty banned participating countries from explosive atomic weapon tests in the atmosphere, outer space, or underwater, and the 1974 Threshold Test Ban Treaty banned underground nuclear weapon tests of more than 150 kilotons of explosive force.
In 1992, President George H.W. Bush signed a moratorium on underground testing of US nuclear weapons into law.
The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
The US helped negotiate the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which would end nuclear testing globally. The CTBT was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1996, and as of August 2016, the US and 182 states had signed and 164 had ratified.
However, the 44 states listed in the treaty are required to ratify before it can go into effect. Forty-one of the states have signed and 36 ratified. India, Pakistan, and North Korea never signed.
What are the rules for nuclear weapons, and where do they come from?
The president has sole authority over the use of nuclear weapons. If the president is incapacitated, nuclear authority follows the presidential line of succession.
Congress requires each presidential administration to conduct a Nuclear Posture Review establishing US nuclear policy, strategy, capabilities, and force posture for the next five to 10 years. The first version of the review was completed in 1994. As of the Obama administration’s 2010 review, unclassified versions of the review are also made available.
The most recent review was released in October 2022. A press release from the Defense Department confirmed a commitment to reducing the role of nuclear weapons and stated that the US “would only consider the use of nuclear weapons in extreme circumstances to defend the vital interests” of the US or its allies and partners.
What’s the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty?
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was created to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons through non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful use of atomic energy. It came into force in 1970. Today, there are 191 participating nations. India, Pakistan, and North Korea are the only nations known to have nuclear weapons that do not participate (North Korea signed initially but withdrew in 2003).
Most treaty members have no nuclear arsenal; they agree to reviews by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to ensure that nuclear material isn’t used for weapons or exported to other countries. Among the eight known nuclear powers, disarmament is done primarily through treaties. The US and Russia decreased their nuclear weapon inventories through the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.
The nuclear energy provision of the NPT guarantees the output of nuclear energy, science, and technology is accessible to all and managed with cooperation and transparency. The IAEA supports this provision by examining nuclear energy facilities worldwide, ensuring they align with global nuclear security frameworks.
Dig into data about US troops, the role of the Department of Defense, and get the data directly in your inbox by subscribing to our weekly newsletter.
