On the radar: Pentagon setting new bomber requirements; Renewing the push for CTBT; Iran gets nuclear software, still lacks fiber; Blocking the KC nuclear plant; Nuclear theft in Namibia; and Putin rides a tricycle.

August 30, 2011 | Edited by Benjamin Loehrke

Next bomber program coming into focus - An overhaul of the Pentagon’s long-range strike strategy is set to include a “family of systems” including a stealthy, optionally manned or unmanned bomber and smaller aircraft for electronic warfare and intelligence and surveillance, Aviation Week reports. http://ow.ly/6fzHR

--Unit cost of the new bomber is notionally set at $550 million, with $55 billion slated for a fleet of 100 aircraft. That cost will change after the Pentagon defines requirements later this year.

--Word not present in this report: “nuclear”

An end to nuclear testing - Yesterday’s International Day Against Nuclear Tests, 20 years after the closing of the Semipalatinsk test site, was observed to highlight the importance of banning testing.

--Daryl Kimball writes, “The August 29 commemoration should spur nongovernmental organizations and policymakers to redouble stalled efforts to secure entry into force of the CTBT.” http://ow.ly/6fxKf

Iran’s new nuclear software, carbon fiber deficiency - In a doubleheader analysis, ISIS takes note of two reports on Iran’s nuclear program. First, Iran reportedly purchased software from North Korea that would help scientists figure out if a nuclear bomb would explode. The software was originally developed at Los Alamos, and it is unclear how North Korea acquired a copy.

--Second, in contrast to recent reports about Iran making its own carbon fiber for centrifuges, ISIS assesses that Iran still depends on illicit imports of carbon fiber. http://ow.ly/6fSuR

Kansas City weapons plant between the city council, the courts and the ballot - Activists are seeking a ballot initiative to block the a new facility in Kansas City slated to make most of the nonnuclear parts for the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The City Council recently overruled the activists’ petition, and the decision is now headed for the courts. It could be late September before a decision on the ballot initiative is finalized, reports the Kansas City Star. http://ow.ly/6gyAO

--If the activists get their ballot measure, “voters could throw a major wrench in the works of the nuclear weapons complex,” Adam Weinstein reports. http://ow.ly/6gv6v

Nuclear theft in Namibia - Four people suspected of stealing drums of uranium oxide (yellow cake) were arrested by Namibian authorities, Reuters reports http://ow.ly/6gxSe

Putin rides a Harley - Taking a page from Sarah Palin, Vladimir Putin kicked off his election campaign on a three-wheeled motorcycle. Watch the video from Reuters. http://ow.ly/6gxem