Bomb Bottleneck

One of the most bizarre shortages that may result from the Reagan defense buildup concerns a man-made mineral that many people feel is already in all too abundant supply: plutonium, a uranium byproduct used in the manufacture of nuclear weapons. The Reagan defense budget calls for stepped-up production of the ground, sea-and air-launched cruise missile and the Navy's Trident II submarine-based missile, as well as deployment of the MX missile system. Most of these weapons will be tipped with nuclear warheads.

With an average of 15 Ibs. of the silver-white, highly toxic metal...

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