There should be no nuclear explosions during the announced nuclear weapons tests in the USA. “The tests we’re talking about are system tests. These are not nuclear explosions,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Fox News. New weapon systems will be tested. All other parts of a nuclear weapon are tested.
A few days ago, US President Donald Trump caused a stir by announcing an immediate resumption of nuclear weapons tests. However, he did not specify exactly what should be tested. This also left it unclear whether there would also be underground explosions. Trump justified the move by saying that other countries were also carrying out tests.
In an interview with CBS News, the US President claimed that Russia had announced a test. North Korea is constantly testing. Other countries are also testing, he said. He also mentioned China. He doesn’t want the USA to be the only country that doesn’t test.
Russia recently tested launchers. The USA also repeatedly tests launchers without nuclear warheads. When asked about Trump’s statements, the Chinese Foreign Office said that China had kept its promise to suspend nuclear tests. Beijing hopes that Washington will also fulfill this promise, said spokeswoman Mao Ning.
Lots of old weapons
Energy Secretary Wright said modernizing the nuclear arsenal is a critical priority. “Many of our weapons are very old.” You have to keep your weapons arsenal modern and up to date in order to be a world leader. “This is the only way to guarantee peace abroad and prosperity at home,” Wright said.
The Department of Energy is responsible for many aspects of the US nuclear arsenal, including through its subordinate nuclear safety agency NNSA.
There have been no nuclear weapons tests by the major powers for decades
The USA last tested a nuclear weapon in 1992. Together with Russia and China, they have so far adhered to a decades-long moratorium on underground nuclear explosions.
However, the United States has an extensive program to ensure the reliability of its nuclear arsenal. These include computer simulations, non-chain reaction tests of nuclear materials, and tests of missiles and warhead technologies. According to some experts, such measures make nuclear tests unnecessary.
