Subcritical (or cold) nuclear weapon tests are any type of tests involving nuclear materials and possibly high-explosives that purposely result in no yield. The name refers to the lack of creation of a critical mass of fissile material. They are the only type of tests allowed under the interpretation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty tacitly agreed to by the major atomic powers. [1] [2] Subcritical tests continue to be performed by the United States, Russia, and the People's Republic of China. [3] [4]
Arms control expert Jeffrey Lewis stated in 2009 that while China does not publicly admit to subcritical testing, facilities consistent with subcritical testing exist at Lop Nur. Further, the United States believes that China conducted three tests in June and July 2001 and another in December 2001. A declassified 1995 intelligence report suggests that subcritical tests were previously performed at the Southwest Institute of Fluid Physics, but that in 1993 an accident occurred during a subcritical test, leading to their relocation to Lop Nur. [5]
The United States and United Kingdom conduct subcritical tests at the Nevada Test Site. Some of these tests are joint US-UK tests. [6]
Subcritical test executed by the United States and United Kingdom include: [7] [8] [9]
Name | Date Time ( UT [a]) | Location | Elevation + Height | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
A series of 50 tests | January 1, 1960 | Los Alamos National Lab Test Area 49 35°49′22″N 106°18′08″W / 35.82289°N 106.30216°W | 2,183 metres (7,162 ft) and 20 metres (66 ft) | Series of 50 tests during US/USSR joint nuclear test ban. [10] |
Odyssey | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | ||
Trumpet | NTS Area U1a-102D 37°00′40″N 116°03′31″W / 37.01099°N 116.05848°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | ||
Kismet | March 1, 1995 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 293 metres (961 ft) | Kismet was a proof of concept for modern hydronuclear tests; it did not contain any SNM (Special Nuclear Material—plutonium or uranium). |
Rebound | July 2, 1997 10:—:— | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 293 metres (961 ft) | Provided information on the behavior of new plutonium alloys compressed by high pressure shock waves; same as Stagecoach but for the age of the alloys. |
Holog | September 18, 1997 | NTS Area U1a.101A 37°00′37″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01036°N 116.05888°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | Holog and Clarinet may have switched locations. |
Stagecoach | March 25, 1998 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | Provided information on the behavior of aged (up to 40 years) plutonium alloys compressed by high pressure shock waves. |
Bagpipe | September 26, 1998 | NTS Area U1a.101B 37°00′37″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01021°N 116.05886°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Cimarron | December 11, 1998 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | Plutonium surface ejecta studies. |
Clarinet | February 9, 1999 | NTS Area U1a.101C 37°00′36″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01003°N 116.05898°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | Holog and Clarinet may have switched places on the map. |
Oboe | September 30, 1999 | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Oboe 2 | November 9, 1999 | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Oboe 3 | February 3, 2000 | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Thoroughbred | March 22, 2000 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | Plutonium surface ejecta studies, followup to Cimarron. |
Oboe 4 | April 6, 2000 | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Oboe 5 | August 18, 2000 | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Oboe 6 | December 14, 2000 | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Oboe 8 | September 26, 2001 | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Oboe 7 | December 13, 2001 | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Oboe 9 | June 7, 2002 21:46:— | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Mario | August 29, 2002 19:00:— | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | Plutonium surface studies (optical analysis of spall). Used wrought plutonium from Rocky Flats. |
Rocco | September 26, 2002 19:00:— | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | Plutonium surface studies (optical analysis of spall), followup to Mario. Used cast plutonium from Los Alamos. |
Piano | September 19, 2003 20:44:— | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Armando | May 25, 2004 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | Plutonium spall measurements using x-ray analysis. [b] |
Step Wedge | April 1, 2005 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | April–May 2005, a series of mini-hydronuclear experiments interpreting Armando results. |
Unicorn | August 31, 2006 01:00:— | NTS Area U6c 36°59′12″N 116°02′38″W / 36.98663°N 116.0439°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | "...confirm nuclear performance of the W88 warhead with a newly-manufactured pit." Early pit studies. |
Thermos | January 1, 2007 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | February 6 – May 3, 2007, 12 mini-hydronuclear experiments in thermos-sized flasks. |
Bacchus | September 16, 2010 | NTS Area U1a.05? 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | |
Barolo A | December 1, 2010 | NTS Area U1a.05? 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | |
Barolo B | February 2, 2011 | NTS Area U1a.05? 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | |
Castor | September 1, 2012 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | Not even a subcritical, contained no plutonium; a dress rehearsal for Pollux. |
Pollux | December 5, 2012 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | A subcritical test with a scaled down warhead mockup. [c] |
Leda | June 15, 2014 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | Like Castor, the plutonium was replaced by a surrogate; this is a dress rehearsal for the later Lydia. The target was a weapons pit mock-up. [d] |
Lydia | ??-??-2015 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | Expected to be a plutonium subcritical test with a scaled down warhead mockup.[ citation needed] |
Vega | December 13, 2017 | Nevada test site | Plutonium subcritical test with a scaled down warhead mockup. [11] | |
Ediza | February 13, 2019 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | Plutonium subcritical test designed to confirm supercomputer simulations for stockpile safety. [12] | |
Nightshade A | November 2020 | Nevada test site | Plutonium subcritical test designed to measure ejecta emission. [13] [14] |
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Subcritical (or cold) nuclear weapon tests are any type of tests involving nuclear materials and possibly high-explosives that purposely result in no yield. The name refers to the lack of creation of a critical mass of fissile material. They are the only type of tests allowed under the interpretation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty tacitly agreed to by the major atomic powers. [1] [2] Subcritical tests continue to be performed by the United States, Russia, and the People's Republic of China. [3] [4]
Arms control expert Jeffrey Lewis stated in 2009 that while China does not publicly admit to subcritical testing, facilities consistent with subcritical testing exist at Lop Nur. Further, the United States believes that China conducted three tests in June and July 2001 and another in December 2001. A declassified 1995 intelligence report suggests that subcritical tests were previously performed at the Southwest Institute of Fluid Physics, but that in 1993 an accident occurred during a subcritical test, leading to their relocation to Lop Nur. [5]
The United States and United Kingdom conduct subcritical tests at the Nevada Test Site. Some of these tests are joint US-UK tests. [6]
Subcritical test executed by the United States and United Kingdom include: [7] [8] [9]
Name | Date Time ( UT [a]) | Location | Elevation + Height | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
A series of 50 tests | January 1, 1960 | Los Alamos National Lab Test Area 49 35°49′22″N 106°18′08″W / 35.82289°N 106.30216°W | 2,183 metres (7,162 ft) and 20 metres (66 ft) | Series of 50 tests during US/USSR joint nuclear test ban. [10] |
Odyssey | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | ||
Trumpet | NTS Area U1a-102D 37°00′40″N 116°03′31″W / 37.01099°N 116.05848°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | ||
Kismet | March 1, 1995 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 293 metres (961 ft) | Kismet was a proof of concept for modern hydronuclear tests; it did not contain any SNM (Special Nuclear Material—plutonium or uranium). |
Rebound | July 2, 1997 10:—:— | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 293 metres (961 ft) | Provided information on the behavior of new plutonium alloys compressed by high pressure shock waves; same as Stagecoach but for the age of the alloys. |
Holog | September 18, 1997 | NTS Area U1a.101A 37°00′37″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01036°N 116.05888°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | Holog and Clarinet may have switched locations. |
Stagecoach | March 25, 1998 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | Provided information on the behavior of aged (up to 40 years) plutonium alloys compressed by high pressure shock waves. |
Bagpipe | September 26, 1998 | NTS Area U1a.101B 37°00′37″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01021°N 116.05886°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Cimarron | December 11, 1998 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | Plutonium surface ejecta studies. |
Clarinet | February 9, 1999 | NTS Area U1a.101C 37°00′36″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01003°N 116.05898°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | Holog and Clarinet may have switched places on the map. |
Oboe | September 30, 1999 | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Oboe 2 | November 9, 1999 | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Oboe 3 | February 3, 2000 | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Thoroughbred | March 22, 2000 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | Plutonium surface ejecta studies, followup to Cimarron. |
Oboe 4 | April 6, 2000 | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Oboe 5 | August 18, 2000 | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Oboe 6 | December 14, 2000 | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Oboe 8 | September 26, 2001 | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Oboe 7 | December 13, 2001 | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Oboe 9 | June 7, 2002 21:46:— | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Mario | August 29, 2002 19:00:— | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | Plutonium surface studies (optical analysis of spall). Used wrought plutonium from Rocky Flats. |
Rocco | September 26, 2002 19:00:— | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | Plutonium surface studies (optical analysis of spall), followup to Mario. Used cast plutonium from Los Alamos. |
Piano | September 19, 2003 20:44:— | NTS Area U1a.102C 37°00′39″N 116°03′32″W / 37.01095°N 116.05877°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | |
Armando | May 25, 2004 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 290 metres (950 ft) | Plutonium spall measurements using x-ray analysis. [b] |
Step Wedge | April 1, 2005 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | April–May 2005, a series of mini-hydronuclear experiments interpreting Armando results. |
Unicorn | August 31, 2006 01:00:— | NTS Area U6c 36°59′12″N 116°02′38″W / 36.98663°N 116.0439°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | "...confirm nuclear performance of the W88 warhead with a newly-manufactured pit." Early pit studies. |
Thermos | January 1, 2007 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | February 6 – May 3, 2007, 12 mini-hydronuclear experiments in thermos-sized flasks. |
Bacchus | September 16, 2010 | NTS Area U1a.05? 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | |
Barolo A | December 1, 2010 | NTS Area U1a.05? 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | |
Barolo B | February 2, 2011 | NTS Area U1a.05? 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | |
Castor | September 1, 2012 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | Not even a subcritical, contained no plutonium; a dress rehearsal for Pollux. |
Pollux | December 5, 2012 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | A subcritical test with a scaled down warhead mockup. [c] |
Leda | June 15, 2014 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | Like Castor, the plutonium was replaced by a surrogate; this is a dress rehearsal for the later Lydia. The target was a weapons pit mock-up. [d] |
Lydia | ??-??-2015 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | 1,222 metres (4,009 ft) and 190 metres (620 ft) | Expected to be a plutonium subcritical test with a scaled down warhead mockup.[ citation needed] |
Vega | December 13, 2017 | Nevada test site | Plutonium subcritical test with a scaled down warhead mockup. [11] | |
Ediza | February 13, 2019 | NTS Area U1a 37°00′41″N 116°03′35″W / 37.01139°N 116.05983°W | Plutonium subcritical test designed to confirm supercomputer simulations for stockpile safety. [12] | |
Nightshade A | November 2020 | Nevada test site | Plutonium subcritical test designed to measure ejecta emission. [13] [14] |
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