However, the NuclearTriad has been integrated with non-nuclear strategic capabilities, which strengthen the credibility of U.S. offensive deterrence and form the New Triad.
The services have not been willing to pay the bills related to keeping deployed a nucleartriad, preferring instead to invest in other priorities that are nearer and dearer to their hearts.
Even with the deep cuts the START follow-on treaty requires in U.S. strategic nuclear delivery vehicles, it may still be possible to retain a nuclear"Triad" of long-range bombers and land- and sea-launched ballistic missiles.
Robert Kehler of U.S. Strategic Command also stated recently that the United States may decide to move from a "triad" of nuclear delivery vehicles (submarines, bombers, and inter-continental ballistic missiles) to a "dyad" of only two types of delivery vehicles.
Some statements from senior administration officials have gone so far as to call into question whether U.S. nuclear forces will continue to consist of a triad altogether, let alone one receiving the requisite modernization.