America’s nuclear arsenal is active, massive, and, maybe surprisingly, highly concentrated in just a few places.

Military

These are the states and locations where the U.S. has its nuclear weapons

Sports-lover turned journalist, born and bred in Scotland, with a passion for football (soccer). He’s also a keen follower of NFL, NBA, golf and tennis, among others, and always has an eye on the latest in science, tech and current affairs. As Managing Editor at AS USA, uses background in operations and marketing to drive improvements for reader satisfaction.

Update: Jun 23rd, 2025 12:08 EDT

Given everything that’s going on in the world right now – please tell me you’re aware – you may be wondering where the United States actually keeps its nuclear weapons. Well, the answer isn’t “all over” – it’s mostly five states and a handful of military installations, as explained by the New Start report.

ICBMs focused across three states

Let’s start with the land-based Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). The U.S. keeps nearly 450 Minuteman III missiles buried in silos across Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming, at three main bases: Malmstrom Air Force Base (MT), Minot Air Force Base (ND), and F.E. Warren Air Force Base (WY). Each missile can carry a nuclear warhead, although today, most only carry one.

Where are the U.S. nuclear subs?

Then there’s the submarine force, arguably the stealthiest leg of the nuclear triad.

The U.S. Navy deploys 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, armed with Trident II missiles, from just two ports: Bangor, Washington (Pacific) and Kings Bay, Georgia (Atlantic). These subs roam the oceans but return to these two spots for restocking and repairs. About 1,100 nuclear warheads are linked to these missiles, most of which carry 4–5 warheads each.

Nuclear bombers offer more

Heavy bombers make up the third part of the nuclear force. Here, the B-52H and B-2A are still in the game, carrying bombs and cruise missiles from Minot AFB (ND), Whiteman AFB (MO), and Barksdale AFB (LA). These planes are counted as carrying one nuclear weapon each under the New START treaty... but that’s book-keeping fiction. In reality, the fleet can handle up to 300 warheads.

These are the states and locations where the U.S. has its nuclear weapons — B-2 Spirit stealth bomber on the tarmac - artist's impression

U.S. nuclear bombs outside the U.S.

As well as that rather impressive stash, it’s worth noting that there are also around 200 tactical nuclear bombs stationed at U.S. air bases in Europe (so not technically U.S. soil), and another 2,800 warheads in reserve at various storage facilities across the country. Those include locations like Kirtland AFB in New Mexico and the Pantex Plant in Texas, where warheads are maintained and dismantled.

So while the U.S. has thousands of nuclear weapons, most are concentrated in fewer than a dozen places, with five states – Montana, North Dakota, Wyoming, Washington, and Georgia – doing most of the heavy lifting. And don’t worry, this is not a secret so I’m not risking national security.

The European countries not part of NATO

White House

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