The Defense Department last week formally appealed a Senate move to deny funding the study of a new earth-penetrating nuclear weapon designed to attack hardened weapons of mass destruction facilities. The Pentagon requested $15.5 million in fiscal year 2003 to begin work on a so-called low-yield nuclear weapon. House authorizers matched DOD's funding request, but "the Senate did not provide funds for the Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator," the Pentagon appeal paper notes. "The department opposes Senate section 3101 [of the...
