blast of nuclear explosions is produced by heating of air by the fireball. The enormous amount of energy released in a small volume of air produces intensely hot gases at extremely high pressures. The results is a shock wave that continues outward from the explosion. Blast effects depend mostly on the overpressure, which is usually measured in pounds per square inch (psi). As shown in figure A-1.A-1Sandia National Laboratories is responsible for all research and development of non-nuclear components of U.S. nuclear weapons. With branches near Los Alamos and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories, Sandia has helped to design every nuclear weapon in the U.S. arsenal. In the distance is Manzano Mountain, a nuclear weapons storage facility used by the Department of Defense to store Army and Air Force nuclear weapons since 1949. Sandia also operates the Tonopah Test Range in Nevada and a missile launching facility in Kauai, Hawaii. Figure A-2 (below) is an overall view of the facility. A-2Strategic forces remain a critical element of the U.S. policy of deterrence. Although the forces have been reduced in the aftermath of the Cold War, and the percentage of the defense budget devoted to them has declined, strategic forces continue to provide a credible deterrent. Consequently, the United States will protect options to maintain its strategic capabilities at START I levels until the START II treaty has entered into force.Since the end of the Cold War, the United States and Russia have made significant progress in addressing problems in critical areas of nuclear safety and security. Cooperatively, the two countries are working, with some success, to improve the overall security of former Soviet nuclear facilities, promote fissile material control and accountability, and support the dismantlement of some Russian nuclear forces.There remain other areas of concern that could benefit from expanded cooperation. One candidate is t...
