2009/02/22 by Theodore Liolios, Theodore E. Liolios, Liolios, Theodore
Engineering · Environmental Science · Physics and Astronomy · Social Sciences · #FOS: Physical sciences #Medical Physics (physics.med-ph) #Nuclear Issues and Defense #Nuclear and radioactivity studies #Physics and Society (physics.soc-ph) #Radioactive contamination and transfer #physics.med-ph #physics.soc-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0902.3824
Hellenic Arms Control Center - Occasional Paper (30 pages PDF)
arxiv created 2009/02/22 · openalex publication_date 2009/02/22 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
According to numerous press reports, in 2007 at Minot US Air Force Base six AGM-129 Advanced Cruise Missiles mistakenly armed with W80-1 thermonuclear warheads were loaded on a B-52H heavy bomber in place of six unarmed AGM-129 missiles that were awaiting transport to Barksdale US Air Force Base for disposal. The live nuclear missiles were not reported missing, and stood unsecured and unguarded while mounted to the aircraft for a period of 36 hours. The present work investigates the radiological hazards associated with a worst-case postulated accident that would disperse the nuclear material of the six warheads in large metropolitan cities. Using computer simulations approximate estimates are derived for the ensuing cancer mortality and land contamination after the accident. Health, decontamination and evacuation costs are also estimated in the framework of the linear risk model.