Ready, Set, Getting to Go: America's Nuclear Test Readiness Posture

Abstract

In a geopolitical environment once again dominated by Great Power competition, the stakes of maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent also returned to the forefront of national security. Yet, as nearly thirty years have passed without the United States conducting a nuclear test, there exists considerable uncertainty on how quickly, or even if, the United States could resume nuclear testinga key component of a credible deterrent. However, there remains a legal requirement, with origins in hard-earned Cold War lessons, for the nation to return to underground nuclear testing if called upon to do so. This paper provides an overview of nuclear testing, the nations current state of preparedness, and offersrecommendations on how to improve its test readiness posture.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 04, 2020
Accession Number
AD1112363

Entities

People

  • George M. Steeves

Tags

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  • Biomedical
  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

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  • Accidents
  • Air Force
  • Arms Control
  • Birds
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Congress
  • Department Of State
  • Explosions
  • Explosives
  • Fusion Weapons
  • Law
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Materials
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Methods
  • Treaties
  • United States
  • Urban Areas
  • Weapons Effects

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  • Aerospace Test and Evaluation
  • Strategic Security Studies