The United States is planning to restart its nuclear arsenal testing program, but this time it will be carried out without actual nuclear explosions. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced this on Fox News and explained President Donald Trump's administration’s plans in detail.
According to Wright, the discussion is about subcritical explosions. "We are talking about test systems that are different from the usual concept of nuclear explosions," he said.
This method allows specialists to assess the condition and reliability of all the components of nuclear weapons, without requiring the initiation of a chain nuclear reaction. Within these tests, delivery systems for warheads will also be tested, and detonation of conventional explosives will be performed.
These activities are aimed at simulating conditions necessary for confirming the operability of nuclear weapons. Such tests are considered legal under international agreements like the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, as they do not involve nuclear explosions.
Last week, President Trump announced a decision to restart testing activities. Asked about the possibility of a nuclear ‘mushroom cloud’ appearing at the Nevada test site, a historically significant location for such tests, Secretary Wright reassured the public: "No, there is no need to worry about that." The US has maintained a moratorium on full-scale nuclear tests since 1992.
This decision was made during the presidency of George H.W. Bush and has been strictly observed until now. The last underground test, called "Divider," took place on September 23, 1992.
Since then, the safety and reliability of the nuclear arsenal has been ensured through a stockpile stewardship program based on scientific data, including the use of subcritical experiments.
