Updating the nuclear triad for the modern age and Toloka’s underwater drone
This week on Weapons & Warfare, host Ryan Robertson takes you inside the Air Force Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, where three Air Force generals and a defense industry executive engage in a compelling discussion on the modernization of the nuclear triad.
They address the urgent need for advancements in intercontinental ballistic missiles, strategic bombers and submarine capabilities, as well as the strategic implications for America’s national defense and global stability. They not only highlight the challenges faced by military leaders but also explore innovative solutions that could shape the future of nuclear deterrence.
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The United States developed its nuclear triad to ensure that the country could respond with a second-strike nuclear attack even if part of its arsenal were destroyed in an initial strike. Today, military leaders say the system — comprising land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and long-range strategic bombers — must be modernized to meet evolving threats.
At the 2025 Air, Space & Cyber Conference, the Air Force Association convened senior defense officials and industry leaders to discuss the future of the triad. Lt. Gen. Michael Lutton, deputy commander of U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command, said the triad has proven its value over five decades and remains essential to deterring adversaries and assuring allies.
Maj. Gen. Brandon Parker, director of global operations at U.S. Strategic Command, emphasized the need to adapt to a changing strategic landscape. He pointed to promising developments in both legacy systems and new programs, including the Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider. The stealth bomber, expected to replace the B-2 Spirit, will deliver conventional and nuclear munitions and is designed to counter advanced defensive systems.
Ben Davies, president of Northrop Grumman Defense Systems, said two B-21 aircraft have entered testing and are performing as expected. He credited the success to extensive modeling and simulation prior to production.
On the land-based front, Brig. Gen. William “Buck” Rogers said the Minuteman III ICBM fleet, while historically effective, must evolve to address modern threats, including cyberattacks. The Sentinel program aims to replace the aging missiles with a more responsive and secure system. Despite delays and cost overruns, Davies said testing has validated the missile’s performance and supports continued development.
The sea-based leg of the triad also remains critical. Parker called it the most survivable component and said the transition from Ohio-class to Columbia-class submarines will preserve that advantage. The Navy expects to deliver the first Columbia-class submarine by 2028 or 2029, with operational readiness projected by 2031.
Defense officials agreed that modernization is essential to maintaining strategic stability and national security.
Weapon of the Week: How Ukraine’s Toloka is changing the underwater drone game
Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), like their aerial and ground counterparts, come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. At a recent defense exhibition, Ukrainian company Toloka unveiled its Toloka 1000, a high-autonomy UUV designed for long-term missions and versatile operations.
The Toloka 1000 resembled a large, unmanned torpedo but functioned more like a crewless submarine. A company representative, who requested anonymity for security reasons, explained that the vehicle operated with a diesel-electric engine and could remain at sea for up to six months depending on fuel and battery capacity. While on the surface, it connected to the internet to transmit mission data.
“It can be a strike vehicle, but it also can be a reconnaissance vehicle,” the representative said. “It can perform demining operations, mining operations and respond to acoustic signals. It has optical, thermal and acoustic targeting systems. We have a sort of Shazam for ships, where we analyze acoustic signatures to identify ship types and, in some cases, specific models.”
The Toloka 1000 was built in Ukraine using components sourced from companies around the world. The firm aimed to attract international investment and customers, and the submarine drew attention from military officers and naval companies across Europe and the United States.
“There is plenty of interest in low-cost underwater sea effectors,” the representative said. “What we do in Ukraine is low-cost, low-tech, but highly effective. We excel at implementing software, even if the hardware is not highly sophisticated.”
The Toloka 1000 measures precisely to fit inside a standard 20-foot shipping container. In addition to this model, the company developed two other base UUV designs. The smallest ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 meters in length, operated fully on electric power and carried up to 15 kilograms with a range of 100 kilometers. The mid-sized model supported a payload of 500 kilograms and a range of up to 1,200 kilometers. The Toloka 1000, the largest, offered a range of 2,000 kilometers and a payload capacity of five tons.
Company officials said the platform’s modularity and affordability made it a compelling option for modern naval operations.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
