Nuclear Weapons R&D Organizations in Nine Nations

Abstract

Seven nations -- China, France, India, Pakistan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States -- possess nuclear weapons. In addition, North Korea tested a nuclear explosive device, and Israel is widely thought to have nuclear weapons. As an aid to Congress in understanding nuclear weapons, nuclear proliferation, and arms control matters, this report describes which agency is responsible for research and development (R&D) of nuclear weapons (i.e., nuclear explosive devices, as distinct from the bombers and missiles that deliver them) in these nations and whether these agencies are civilian or military. It also traces the history of such agencies in the United States from 1942 to the present. This report may be updated annually.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 16, 2009
Accession Number
ADA495679

Entities

People

  • Carol Migdalovitz
  • Derek E. Mix
  • Jonathan E. Medalia
  • Larry Niksch
  • Mary Beth Nikitin
  • Paul K. Kerr
  • Shirley Kan

Organizations

  • Library of Congress

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Arms Control
  • Department Of Defense
  • Employment
  • Explosive Devices
  • Explosives
  • Governments
  • Law
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Energy
  • Nuclear Fuels
  • Nuclear Materials
  • Nuclear Reactors
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Personnel Management
  • United States
  • Weapons
  • Weapons Of Mass Destruction

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • International Relations and European Studies
  • Political Science/ International Relations/ European Studies
  • Strategic Security Studies