### Question
What does joint nuclear weapons life cycle process mean?


### Answer
**Joint nuclear weapons life cycle process** has the following meaning in *50 U.S.C. § 2538b*:

> the process developed and maintained by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy for the development, production, maintenance, and retirement of nuclear weapons

#### Citation:
  - *50 U.S.C. § 2538b*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 42-ATOMIC ENERGY DEFENSE PROVISIONS > SUBCHAPTER II-NUCLEAR WEAPONS STOCKPILE MATTERS > Part A-Stockpile Stewardship and Weapons Production**

