02-25-2013, 12:51 PM
Arunji,
What other credible enough alternative would be there to field testing ? Some kind of laser fusion facility ? But if this gives credibility, why not two stage TNs themselves ?
Bharat Karnad says that a number of in service warheads are untested staged TNs based on a corrected version of RCs fizzle. He says that they come in yields of 125-175 kt.
Still, I feel that the sooner they test again, the better. No real losses in testing, barring some superficial sanctions. On the other hand, vast gains come from field testing: parity with the PRC/TSP/NoKo axis on the warhead quality front, demonstration of political will power before the world (itself important for deterrence), etc...
What other credible enough alternative would be there to field testing ? Some kind of laser fusion facility ? But if this gives credibility, why not two stage TNs themselves ?
Bharat Karnad says that a number of in service warheads are untested staged TNs based on a corrected version of RCs fizzle. He says that they come in yields of 125-175 kt.
Still, I feel that the sooner they test again, the better. No real losses in testing, barring some superficial sanctions. On the other hand, vast gains come from field testing: parity with the PRC/TSP/NoKo axis on the warhead quality front, demonstration of political will power before the world (itself important for deterrence), etc...