Nuclear weapon safety: How safe is safe

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists; (USA)

OSTI ID:5632079

The safety criteria that have been specified for modern nuclear weapons are very demanding. The majority of the weapons in the current stockpile will have to be modified to meet them, unless they are retired. Moreover, for some weapons we still lack necessary data to perform credible safety analyses. Although plutonium dispersal is a much less threatening danger than a sizable nuclear yield, it is nevertheless a potentially serious hazard, particularly if the plutonium is aerosolized in a chemical detonation. The panel recommended the following actions: (1) equip all stockpiled weapons with Enhanced Nuclear Detonation Safety, and build all aircraft-launched bombs and cruise missiles with insensitive high explosive and fire-resistant cores; (2) began an immediate review of the acceptability of retaining missile systems without IHE, fire-resistant cores, or 1.3 class propellant in close proximity to the warheads; (3) continue safety studies and allocate necessary resources to weapons and military laboratories; (4) affirm enhanced safety as the top priority goal of the US nuclear weapons program, and design all future weapons to be as safe as practically achievable, consistent with reasonable military requirements.

• OSTI ID: 5632079
• Journal Information: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists; (USA), Vol. 47:3; ISSN 0096-5243
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
SAFETY
ACCIDENTS
DESIGN
DETONATIONS
LABORATORIES
MODIFICATIONS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
USA
NORTH AMERICA
WEAPONS
450200* - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Nuclear Explosions & Explosives
350000 - Arms Control- (1987-)