The numbers amount of U.S. nuclear missiles, and deployed bombers, have continued to drop while Russia's have climbed or maintained steady, according to a new U.S. State Department report on strategic weapons released in January.

The State Department every year releases a breakdown of the U.S. military's nuclear arsenal to comply with the New START treaty with Russia. Under the treaty, which was signed in 2010, the U.S. and Russia by 2018 must meet a limit of 700 deployed ballistic missiles and deployed heavy bombers by 2018; along with a limit of 1,550 nuclear warheads on deployed missiles and bombers; and a limit of and 800 launchers. The treaty lasts until 2021.

As of Sept. 1, according to the report released in January, 2014, the U.S. military showed declines from the previous year in all three categories, while Russia showed increases:

  • The U.S. has 794 deployed Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles, submarine-launched ICBMs and deployed heavy bombers, down from 809 the year before. Russia's inventory Over the same period, however, Russia's amount of deployed missiles has climbed from 473 to 528, up from 473, according to the State Department.
  • The U.S. has 1,642 warheads on deployed ICBMs, SLBMs and nuclear warheads for deployed bombers, down from 1,688. Russia also has compared to Russia's 1,642, but that is up from 1,400.
  • The U.S. also has 912 deployed and non-deployed missile launchers, down from 1,015. of the missiles, compared to Russia, meanwhile, has 911, up from 894.

add explanation of why Russia's numbers have gone up/mh

Under the treaty, which was signed in 2010, the U.S. and Russia must meet a limit of 700 deployed ballistic missiles and deployed heavy bombers by 2018, along with a limit of 1,550 nuclear warheads on deployed missiles and bombers and 800 launchers. The treaty lasts until 2021.

Each country has gone through 17 inspections since the treaty was signed, and has exchanged 7,754 notifications, according to the State Department.

The majority of the U.S. nuclear arsenal is assigned to the Air Force. Throughout 2014, the service has been demolishing deactivated launch facilities to comply with the treaty. In August, crews with the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, completed the demolition of 50 Minuteman III launch facilities. Russian inspectors verified that the launchers were demolished.

"At this milestone we remove 50 launchers, bringing us closer to our maximum treaty authorization," said Lt. Col. Tom Wilcox, commander of the 341st Missile Wing, in a release. "Both of these missions [reconfiguring warheads and launcher removal] were long-term operations conducted by the ICBM force in a safe, secure and effective manner and required precision through all facets of execution."

The Air Force inventory in September, compared with 12 months earlier:

  • 447 deployed ICBMs, down from 448.
  • 307 nondeployed ICBMs, down from 313. That includes 56 of its older, non-operational Peacekeeper missiles, down from 57.
  • 467 deployed and nondeployed ICBM launchers, down from 557.
  • Seven tests launchers, the same as the year before.
  • 87 deployed B-2A Spirits and B-52H Stratofortresses, down from 101. In late 2013, the Air Force eliminated the last 12 of its 39 B-52Gs, a reduction that was required under the treaty. 2013 list has 12? so 12 of original 39 eliminated in 2013? [YES AF Says last in late 2013]
  • 22 nondeployed bombers, up from 21.
  • Three test bombers, the same as the year before.

The service has 447 Minuteman III deployed ICBMs, along with 251 non-deployed missiles. Additionally, there are 447 deployed launchers of ICBMs, according to State Department data.

The Air Force is also keeping 56 of its older, non-operational Peacekeeper missiles on a non-deployed status, according to the report.

-- 22 nondeployed bombers, up from 21.

-- Three test bombers, the same as the year before.

As of Sept. 1, 2014, the Air Force had 10 deployed B-2A Spirits, along with 77 deployed B-52H Stratofortresses. This is in addition to 10 non-deployed B-2s and 12 non-deployed B-52s. In late 2013, the Air Force eliminated the last of its 39 B-52Gs, a reduction that was required under the treaty.

The Air Force, throughout 2014, has been demolishing deactivated launch facilities to comply with the treaty. In August, crews with the 341st Missile Wing at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, completed the demolition of 50 Minuteman III launch facilities. Russian inspectors verified that the launchers were demolished.

"At this milestone we remove 50 launchers, bringing us closer to our maximum treaty authorization," said Lt. Col. Tom Wilcox, commander of the 341st Missile Wing, in a release. "Both of these missions were long-term operations conducted by the ICBM force in a safe, secure and effective manner and required precision through all facets of execution."

The Navy's nuclear arsenal is mostly unchanged: has largely stayed the same, with the service reporting 260 deployed Trident II submarine-launched missiles in both 2014 and 2013; 151 in both the 2014 and 2015 reports. The service's non-deployed arsenal has climbed from 147 nondeployed Trident IIs in 2014, up from 147; and 336 deployed and nondeployed missile launchers in both years.

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