Gen. Anthony Cotton, Commander of United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), appeared before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee in late March 2025 and provided insights into the state of the command and strategic capabilities.
Gen. Cotton underscored the importance of nuclear deterrence, modernization and readiness in a world increasingly fraught with geopolitical complexities. His testimony articulated the challenges ahead and affirmed the unwavering U.S. commitment to its strategic deterrence.
The Commander offered an assessment of the challenges and priorities facing USSTRATCOM and outlined the critical need for sustained investment in strategic capabilities, from modernization to the operational deployment of advanced weapons systems.
At the heart of Gen. Cotton’s testimony was the key role of nuclear deterrence in the nation’s defense strategy. “The nation’s nuclear forces, which are foundational to our national security, are safe, secure, effective and credible,” he said during his opening statement. “As I speak, STRATCOM and its components are deterring our adversaries and stand ready to respond decisively, whether underground, in the air or beneath the seas, should deterrence fail.”
He emphasized that the nuclear triad of land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), bombers and nuclear-armed submarines is indispensable, especially as the world witnesses a rapid evolution in threat vectors and technological advancements. Modernization, he argued, is not an option but imperative to sustaining deterrence and achieving national objectives should deterrence fail. “Commitment to modernization will ensure that U.S. strategic weapons continue to deter aggression, assure our Allies and Partners and allow us to achieve national objectives if deterrence fails,” the Commander said.
Gen. Cotton’s remarks resonated deeply amid an escalating security environment. The tools of war are changing, he said, from novel missile systems to counter-U.S.-space capabilities, from cyberattacks against critical infrastructure to competition in the electromagnetic spectrum. He stressed the need for a deterrence strategy capable of countering these evolving threats, highlighting the importance of transitioning from legacy systems to new platforms. While current capabilities remain sufficient, he noted that increasing capacity and capability within the triad is essential to bridging the gap during this transitional phase.
One aspect of Gen. Cotton’s testimony centered on the modernization of the U.S. bomber fleet. The Commander advocated for raising the production baseline of the B-21 Raider, hailed as the future of U.S. strategic airpower, from the planned 100 to 145, reflecting the shifting geopolitical landscape. He also elaborated on the aircraft’s unparalleled stealth capabilities, which will make it the predominant bomber for the U.S. Air Force moving forward.
“When we talk about stealth, there’s actually only two platforms on the face of the earth that have all-stealth capability, and that is the current B-2 Spirit, and its next-generation replacement, the B-21,” the Commander said.
Retaining and upgrading the B-52 fleet is “incredibly important,” Gen. Cotton said. He said that adding the Rolls-Royce engines under development will boost the B-52’s range, speed and durability.
The modernization of the submarine fleet also featured prominently in Gen. Cotton’s testimony. He discussed the Columbia-class ballistic nuclear submarine (SSBN) program, designed to replace the aging Ohio-class fleet, and acknowledged potential delays of 12 to 16 months in the program’s timeline. Gen. Cotton outlined contingency plans, including the modernization of legacy boats to ensure operational readiness and effectively bridge the gap. He touted the importance of maintaining availability of existing SSBNs, ensuring that strategic capabilities remain intact despite the delays. “I need to make sure that the tubes that are available on the SSBNs remain the tubes that are available on SSBNs, even if there’s a slip to the new system that’s supposed to replace them,” he said.
The Commander’s testimony comes against the backdrop of technological advancements from near-peer competitors China and Russia, which have had a relationship that “blossomed” in recent years, Gen. Cotton said.
In a world where adversaries are increasingly bold and advancing technologically, the U.S. must remain vigilant and proactive. Gen. Cotton’s testimony served as a reminder of the complexities of today’s strategic environment and the imperative to adapt and innovate in the face of evolving threats.