Nuclear weapons development

Going from one of the most sensitive of the aromatic explosives to one of the very least sensitive, we have TATB (Figure 3.18). This is a new, very insensitive, high explosive that is finding broad use in nuclear weapons development. The extreme degree of insensitiveness boosts the safety in handling and in accident situations, which is so crucial in that particular application. It is made by direct nitration of 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene to 1,3,5-trichloro-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene. This, in turn, is then converted to the 1,3,5-triamino- by amine substitution of the three chlorine atoms. 

In the past, radioanalytical chemistry laboratories processed samples resulting from monitoring nuclear weapons development facilities, fallout from nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, and nuclear power stations. At present, monitoring cleanup of former nuclear facilities is a major source of samples, and efforts are... 

Pu-239 is used primarily in nuclear weapons development and research. Pu-239 also is used in space probes and satellites to keep electronic components warm and in nuclear power generators that produce energy on satellites and space probes. 

Hansen, C. (1995). The swords of Armageddon U.S. nuclear weapons development since 1945. Sunnyvale, CA Chucklea Publications. 

Two fundamental goals of advanced reactors (ARs) and new Generation IV technologies rely on nuclear fuels and their use for providing globally sustainable energy supply while reducing the potential for abuse for nuclear weapons development and threats (Kelly, 2014), as follows ... 

The test programme, carried out with American co-operation at Nevada, is called for not only in its own right but also in order to maintain our scientific collaboration with the Americans in nuclear weapons development... Normally these tests are research tests but last year one of them was an experiment to determine whether a useful saving could be made in the amount of plutonium to be used in the Polaris warheads. .. 

ORALLOY. A World War Il-era code name for uranium-235. The OR in ORaUoy referred to Oak Ridge (Site X), the Tennessee facility where much of this isotope was produced. The alloy imitated the British use of a Directorate of Tlibe ABoys to refer to nuclear weapon developments. 

A basic introduction to nuclear arms control and semitechnical aspects of nuclear weapon development and design is provided by Paul B. Craig and John A. Jungerman s Nuclear Arms Race Technology and Society. For a basic introduction to the fundamentals of nuclear weapon design and early development, one can still usefully refer to Henry DeWolf... 

Britain establishes the Directorate of Tube AUoys, a cover name for its secret nuclear weapon development program. July The Military Apphcations of Uranium Disintegration or MAUD Committee releases its report in which it estimates that 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of uranium-235 would be sufficient to produce a nuclear explosion. 

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