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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Nuclear weapon R and D and the role of nuclear testing

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6834538
There are four fundamental reasons why we do nuclear tests: (1) to maintain confidence in the existing stockpile; (2) to modernize the stockpile for improved safety, security, survivability, and military effectiveness; (3) to assess the vulnerability of weapons to the nuclear threat environment posed by the weapons of our adversaries; and (4) to avoid technological surprise by maintaining the scientific judgment necessary to understand the limits of weapon potential. These four are individually discussed.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
6834538
Report Number(s):
UCRL-95825; CONF-870124-1; ON: DE87003815
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English