New Tests Ordered for U.S. Nuclear Weapons Systems
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A fresh round of tests for U.S. nuclear weapons systems has been mandated. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated on Sunday that these tests will not involve nuclear explosions.
This announcement marks the first from the Trump administration since President Trump indicated on social media last week that he had told the Department of the Army to initiate tests on nuclear weapons under equivalent standards.
“I think what we’re discussing now is really a system test,” Wright mentioned during an interview on Fox News’ “Sunday Briefing.” “These aren’t nuclear explosions. We refer to these as non-critical explosions.”
Wright’s agency is responsible for overseeing these tests. The planned evaluations are said to include confirming that all components of the nuclear weapon maintain the right geometry to enable a nuclear explosion.
Confusion around President Trump’s intentions arose shortly before he was set to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. It appeared Trump used his platform “Truth Social” to imply that he was looking to lift the longstanding U.S. prohibition on testing nuclear weapons.
On his return to Washington that day, Trump did not clarify whether he was indeed looking to restart nuclear weapons tests—something North Korea has done this century—or simply suggesting a standard evaluation of a U.S. system designed for launching nuclear weapons.
When reporters questioned him on Friday about possibly reinstating underground nuclear explosion tests, he responded, “We’ll find out soon,” while on Air Force One heading to Florida for the weekend.
Although the U.S. military frequently tests missiles that can carry nuclear warheads, there hasn’t been any detonation since 1992. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty, which the U.S. signed but hasn’t ratified, has generally been adhered to by all nuclear-capable nations since its adoption, with North Korea being the notable exception.
Trump’s remarks regarding potential nuclear tests followed Russia’s announcement of conducting a nuclear test involving a new underwater drone capable of nuclear operation and a new cruise missile.
In response, Russia has reiterated that it has not conducted a nuclear test and remains compliant with the global nuclear test ban. However, the Kremlin warned that should the U.S. resume tests, it would follow suit, potentially reigniting tensions from the Cold War era.
