abstract:A nuclear triad refers to a nuclear arsenal which consists of three components, traditionally strategic bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs). The purpose of having a three-branched nuclear capability is to significantly reduce the possibility that an enemy could destroy all of a nation's nuclear forces in a first-strike attack; this, in turn, ensures a credible threat of a second strike, and thus increases a nation's nuclear deterrence.
"The reductions in this treaty will not affect the strength of our nuclear triad, nor does this treaty limit plans to protect the U.S.and our allies by improving and deploying missile defense systems."
VOA: standard.2010.03.26
During the Cold War we had a nucleartriad of manned bombers, submarine-launched missiles and land-based ballistic missiles.
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.