1994/08/01 by J.R. Harvey, Stefan Michalowski · 3 citations
Social Sciences · Environmental Science · Engineering · Chemistry · #Risk Perception and Management #Radioactive contamination and transfer #Nuclear and radioactivity studies #Trident #Warhead #Nuclear weapon #Missile #Explosive material #Plutonium #Aeronautics #Environmental science #Detonation #Ignition system #Computer science #Engineering #Aerospace engineering #Physics #Chemistry #Nuclear physics
paper · doi:10.1080/08929889408426405
openalex publication_date 1994/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
An accidental detonation or ignition of propellant in a Trident missile, or of explosive material in one of the warheads, could lead to dispersal of toxic plutonium into a populated area. We examine the details of Trident nuclear weapons safety and assess the feasibility, cost and consequences of safety‐enhancing modifications to the missiles and warheads. We find that the operational impacts of such modifications would be minor, especially if the number of warheads per missile is decreased as a result of START II. Several billion dollars, and a small number of nuclear tests, would be needed to enhance safety for Trident.