Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Nuclear Weapon Effects Test, Evaluation, and Simulation
Abstract
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Defense Science Board (DSB) Task Force on Nuclear Weapon Effects (NWE) Test, Evaluation and Simulation was undertaken with the overall goal of providing a comprehensive evaluation of current and future Department of Defense (DoD) processes for assuring successful operation in nuclear environments. As directed by the Terms of Reference, we have assessed opponent capabilities and DoD processes for establishing and enforcing hardness goals. These assessments have considered the emergence of terrorism as a major threat to the U.S. homeland and deployed forces abroad, the asymmetric attractiveness of the use of nuclear weapons to offset U.S. conventional superiority, and the growing evidence of proliferation of nuclear-capable states. We have also evaluated the evolution of DoD and Department of Energy (DOE) modeling, simulation, and above-ground testing capabilities since the cessation of underground testing to understand our ability to qualify hardened systems. The results of this Task Force were developed independent of, but are highly consistent with, the findings and recommendations of the Congressionally mandated Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Commission.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA434656
Entities
Organizations
- Office Of The Under Secretary Of Defense