A FLEXIBLE DEFENSE

Assessing the Stockpile

To ensure the safety and reliability of Laboratory-designed weapons, Los Alamos scientists and engineers assess weapons behavior under Stockpile-to-Target Sequence (STS) environments. Derived from military logistics, STS environments range from vibrations during handling and transportation to thermal extremes or atypical situations such as fuel fires.

Stockpile Surveillance

Such assessments involve a combination of statistical sampling, computer simulations, and realistic testing. Every year, approximately ten randomly chosen warheads of each type are recalled from military service and disassembled at the Pantex Plant in Texas. Pantex sends selected components to other facilities including Los Alamos for destructive and nondestructive tests.

Los Alamos acquires and analyzes the data. If an assessment uncovers a significant concern, the Laboratory generates resolution plans and answers the technical issues by applying tools such as analysis simulation and testing.

Working in Partnership

For the disassembly and rebuilding of weapons, Los Alamos engineers have worked with the Pantex and Y-12 plants to develop and apply ultrasafe tooling and handling procedures. The Laboratory and the plants assess thousands of hypothesized accident scenarios to identify and mitigate potential hazards.

No Testing...

Imagine keeping a vintage automobile in tiptop shape for stock car racing without being allowed a single test drive. This is the scenario that the nuclear weapons program faces every day to ensure that the stockpile will perform as designed.