US conducts experiment to improve nuclear blast detection
Published: 06:10 AM,Oct 01,2026 | EDITED : 10:10 AM,Oct 01,2026
The US National Nuclear Security Administration conducted a 'subsurface, non-nuclear chemical high-explosive experiment' on Wednesday that the Energy Department said aimed to improve the United States' ability to detect low-yield nuclear explosions.
DETAILS:
* The experiment was focused on improving US capabilities to detect a 'decoupled' explosion, the type of test Washington alleged China had conducted in June 2020 to decrease the effectiveness of seismic monitoring.
* The United States accused Beijing earlier this year of conducting the secret nuclear test in 2020 as it called for a new, broader arms control treaty.
* China said at the time that the US allegation was 'entirely unfounded' and an attempt 'to fabricate excuses for resuming' US nuclear testing.
* The US National Nuclear Security Administration successfully conducted the experiment at the Nevada National Security Site in the P Tunnel in Area 12, using chemical high-explosives and radiotracers, the Energy Department said in a statement on Wednesday.
* It added that data collected from the experiment will be used to validate scientific models and refine algorithms critical to US nuclear explosion detection efforts.