Nuclear Weapons: Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

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Abstract:

A comprehensive test ban treaty, or CTBT, is the oldest item on the nuclear arms control agenda. Three treaties currently limit testing to underground only, with a maximum force equal to 150,000 tons of TNT. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the United States conducted 1,030 nuclear tests, the Soviet Union 715, the United Kingdom 45, France 210, and China 45. The last U.S. test was held in 1992 Russia claims it has not conducted nuclear tests since 1991. Since 1997, the United States has held 22 subcritical experiments at the Nevada Test Site, most recently on February 23, 2006, to study how plutonium behaves under pressures generated by explosives. It asserts these experiments do not violate the CTBT because they cannot produce a self-sustaining chain reaction. Russia has reportedly held some since 1998, including several in 2000.

Author(s):
Medalia, Jonathan
Author Organization(s):
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE
Descriptive Note:
Congressional rept.
Supplementary Note:
CRS Report for Congress
Pagination:
0026

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
CRS-RL33548
Monitor Series:
CRS/DC
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_7.2.1_Mitigate Lethal Effects; JCA_7.2_Mitigate; JCA_7_Protection; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_4.7.2_Installation Services; JCA_4.7_Base and Installations Support; JCA_1.1.1_Global Force Management; JCA_1.1_Force Management; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_5.5_Direct; JCA_5.6.3_Assess Achievement of Objectives; JCA_5.6_Monitor; JCA_5.5.1_Communicate Intent and Guidance; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_1.2.7_Experimentation; JCA_4.3_Maintain; JCA_5.4_Decide; JCA_1.2.3_Educating; JCA_1.3.1_Personnel and Family Support
Communities of Interest:
Counter WMD
Descriptor(s):
*NUCLEAR WEAPONS, UNITED STATES, EXPLOSIVES, NUCLEAR EXPLOSION TESTING, ARMS CONTROL, TREATIES, TNT, PLUTONIUM
Field(s)/Group(s):
Nuclear Weapons
Keyword(s):
CTBT(COMPREHENSIVE TEST BAN TREATY)
Report Date:
2006 Jul 10
Creation Date:
2006 Oct 04