The United States Defence Department is studying whether to develop a new, low-yield nuclear weapon with an earth-penetrating nose cone that could knock out hardened or deeply buried targets such as leadership bunkers and command centres, the Washington Post says.
Citing administration and congressional sources, the Post said such a weapon had long been sought as a way of reaching targets that were hidden deep underground, without incurring huge collateral damage.
Advocates add that, by developing such smaller nuclear weapons, the US could reduce its stockpile of 6000 much more powerful warheads.
A report on the Pentagon study is to be sent to Congress in July.
US studying new nuclear weapon
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