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U.S. Clarifies Nuclear Test Restart Will Begin With Non-Explosive Trials

Officials plan to rely on past test data with advanced modeling to evaluate new warhead designs without detonations.

Overview

  • Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the initial phase consists of system or non‑critical tests that check all components short of a nuclear chain reaction.
  • President Trump announced that the United States would "immediately" resume nuclear-weapons testing, pointing to other nations' activities and recent Russian demonstrations of Burevestnik and Poseidon.
  • Wright said computing power allows accurate yield estimates by recreating conditions from historical U.S. detonations conducted before the 1992 testing halt.
  • Reporting that cites congressional research indicates a full nuclear detonation program would likely require 24 to 36 months after a presidential directive.
  • Separately, Trump said he is not currently considering transferring Tomahawk long‑range missiles to Ukraine, despite reports that Pentagon assessments found a transfer feasible and left the decision to the president.