Dylan Spaulding
@dkspaulding.bsky.social
Senior Scientist, Union of Concerned Scientists, Global Security Program. Views are my own.
Blog: blog.ucsusa.org/author/dylan-spaulding/
Blog: blog.ucsusa.org/author/dylan-spaulding/
Reposted by Dylan Spaulding
FWIW, VADM Correll (nominee to lead USSTRATCOM) a few days ago to SASC: "Neither China or Russia has conducted a nuclear explosive test, so I’m not reading anything into it or reading anything out. To my knowledge, the last explosive nuclear testing was by North Korea, or DPRK, and that was in 2017"
November 3, 2025 at 4:22 AM
FWIW, VADM Correll (nominee to lead USSTRATCOM) a few days ago to SASC: "Neither China or Russia has conducted a nuclear explosive test, so I’m not reading anything into it or reading anything out. To my knowledge, the last explosive nuclear testing was by North Korea, or DPRK, and that was in 2017"
(2/n) This is likely motivated by a recent Russian test of a new, nuclear-capable cruise missile called Burevestnik. Testing a missile is different than testing a nuclear weapon.
What is Russia's Burevestnik missile?
President Vladimir Putin said on Sunday that Russia had tested its Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile. Here are some key facts about the weapon.
www.reuters.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:36 AM
(2/n) This is likely motivated by a recent Russian test of a new, nuclear-capable cruise missile called Burevestnik. Testing a missile is different than testing a nuclear weapon.
(3/n) Strangely, the directive is aimed at the DoW [formerly DoD] but they aren’t responsible for testing nuclear weapons, just the systems that carry them. The US has done this as recently as last month.
US Navy test-fires unarmed Trident nuclear-capable missiles
The U.S. Navy carried out four scheduled unarmed missile tests of the Trident II D5LE off the coast of Florida last week.
www.defensenews.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:36 AM
(3/n) Strangely, the directive is aimed at the DoW [formerly DoD] but they aren’t responsible for testing nuclear weapons, just the systems that carry them. The US has done this as recently as last month.
(4/n) No one knows what Trump means by “testing on an equal basis”, but the US already DOES conduct all types of tests that other nuclear states do. Neither Russia nor China have conducted full-scale nuclear tests since 1990 and 1996, respectively. The last US test was in 1992.
The Nuclear Testing Tally | Arms Control Association
www.armscontrol.org
October 30, 2025 at 4:36 AM
(4/n) No one knows what Trump means by “testing on an equal basis”, but the US already DOES conduct all types of tests that other nuclear states do. Neither Russia nor China have conducted full-scale nuclear tests since 1990 and 1996, respectively. The last US test was in 1992.
(5/n) Both Russia and the United States have abided by a Comprehensive Test Ban since the 1990’s and have not carried out full-scale nuclear tests since then. The US never officially ratified the treaty and Russia withdrew in 2023.
www.reuters.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:36 AM
(5/n) Both Russia and the United States have abided by a Comprehensive Test Ban since the 1990’s and have not carried out full-scale nuclear tests since then. The US never officially ratified the treaty and Russia withdrew in 2023.
(6/n) If Trump is actually referring to underground testing, its not so simple. The US cannot conduct even a rudimentary test within ~6 months and even that is optimistic. Such a test would not provide useful information about the stockpile.
October 30, 2025 at 4:35 AM
(6/n) If Trump is actually referring to underground testing, its not so simple. The US cannot conduct even a rudimentary test within ~6 months and even that is optimistic. Such a test would not provide useful information about the stockpile.
(7/n) A scientifically useful test would take several years to prepare, instrument, and conduct. Anything shorter than that would be nothing more than dangerous political showmanship and would not allow collection of useful data.
Why it would be a bad idea for the Trump administration to conduct a "rapid" nuclear test
The goal of conducting a fast-tracked nuclear test can only be political, not scientific. The United States has much to lose and little to gain from a new test.
thebulletin.org
October 30, 2025 at 4:35 AM
(7/n) A scientifically useful test would take several years to prepare, instrument, and conduct. Anything shorter than that would be nothing more than dangerous political showmanship and would not allow collection of useful data.
(8/n) As I’ve written before, there is little to no incentive for the US to return to full-scale nuclear testing and the costs of doing so FAR outweigh any potential technical benefit. The US would sacrifice its existing advantage and open the gates for adversaries to do the same.
On The Future of Nuclear Testing in America
A strong and meaningful test ban would come at virtually no strategic cost since the US has so little to gain from renewed testing.
blog.ucs.org
October 30, 2025 at 4:35 AM
(8/n) As I’ve written before, there is little to no incentive for the US to return to full-scale nuclear testing and the costs of doing so FAR outweigh any potential technical benefit. The US would sacrifice its existing advantage and open the gates for adversaries to do the same.