Nuclear Weapons

The discovery of atomic energy ushered in a new world and the growth of the Nuclear Age.  The United States of America led the way in this technological revolution. This creation was discovered with the hope of peace, yet instead has brought forth the means of mass destruction and the anxiety of global annihilation. In a neutral manner, it’s the purpose of this presentation to provide a brief history of the creation, growth, proliferation, current status of nuclear empowered states, and varying viewpoints regarding nuclear proliferation.  In addition, current threats due to nuclear proliferation will be presented, along with thoughts on possibly man’s best opportunity to avoid catastrophe.

Nuclear Weapons History and Overview:

The MANHATTAN PROJECT spawned the 1^st atomic bomb. This ultra-secret project searched for weapons capable of ending the bloody conflict of World War II. In today’s currency, the 1^st atomic bomb cost 20 BILLION DOLLARS to produce. This $20 billion bomb of destruction led to the creation of LITTLE BOY and FAT MAN, the bombs that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bringing an end to the worldwide war of carnage. In 1952, the hydrogen bomb IVY MIKE was tested and wiped the island Elugelab completely off the face of the earth. Later came BRAVO, America’s largest bomb capable of delivering the never-before-seen destructive force of 15 MEGATONS. America dominated the nuclear weapons program leading to an arms race and worldwide nuclear proliferation. Surprisingly, though we never hear anything about it, there are 11 U.S. nuclear bombs that have been lost and never recovered, the “Missing 11”.

How the Nuclear Weapon Era Began

The Nuclear Era Begins:

America gave birth to the 1^st Nuclear Child, a Plutonium atomic bomb that they named Fat Man. The bomb was tested on a special device named Gadget. The nuclear era had begun. At the same time, a twin brother was being conceived. His name was Little Boy, a Uranium bomb. 

The First Hydrogen Bomb

Ivy Mike-The 1^st Hydrogen Bomb:

The size of nuclear family continued to grow with the birth of a new child of destruction, IVY MIKE.  This son was far more powerful than his older brothers on a magnitude of 700X that of LITTLE BOY.  When tested on the island of Elugelab, it wiped it off the map in totality. The age of THERMONUCLEAR weapons had now arrived. Nuclear weapons proliferated and nuclear states emerged.

World Nuclear Weapon States

Nuclear Weapons Proliferate:

As the world powers rushed to build their defense capabilities, the madness of nuclear proliferation swelled. Like its tell-tale sign of detonation, the number of World Nuclear Weapon States mushroomed. There now exist “official nuclear powers”, as well as other “declared”nations, and an ever-growing list of “undeclared” nations. The number of weapons held in inventory is staggering and could obliterate mankind numerous times over.

Storing the World's Nuclear Weapons

Storing the World’s Nuclear Weapons:

Nuclear weapons are stored and located throughout the world, ready to unleash an uncontrollable planetary firestorm at a moment’s notice. More than 2,000 warheads are on high alert, and ready to launch on short notice. The highest concentration of nuclear warheads is at the Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific in Bangor, Washington, which is home to more than 2,300 warheads.

Nuclear Weapons and Power of Countries

Nuclear Weapons in the United States

The Most Powerful: Nuclear Weapons in the United States:

The United States strategic warhead infrastructure makes it stand alone as the world’s remaining Superpower. The numbers within the U.S. Nuclear Warhead Infrastructure are startling in the scope and size of weapons held, nuclear waste produced, and funds allocated for missile defense. Simply to sustain the current nuclear arsenal costs $29.1 Billion each year.  It is important to note that reducing strategic warheads by a 3^rd could potentially save United States up to $9.69 Billion A Year.

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