W78

W78 is a U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile warhead associated with the Minuteman III force. GAO describes NNSA work to restart a program to replace W78 warhead capability, reflecting the aging of the legacy system and the need to sustain land-based deterrence. Modernization planning links W78 replacement capability to the W87-1 program and the Sentinel ICBM future.

At public level, W78 is best described by its platform relationship and modernization status rather than by internal design. It belongs to the land-based ICBM leg of the triad and is being addressed through replacement-capability planning because of aging and sustainment constraints. The page should focus on stockpile stewardship, replacement planning, and Sentinel transition context.

Operationally, W78 supports strategic deterrence through Minuteman III ICBMs. Its importance today is less current novelty and more the modernization challenge of replacing legacy capability while maintaining safety, security, reliability, and treaty-accountable deterrence. The page should connect W78 to the ICBM leg without discussing sensitive design details.