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*[[Operation Buster-Jangle|Buster Able]] – Considered to be the first known failure of any nuclear device.<ref name="NWA1">Carey Sublette. "[http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/Busterj.html Operation Buster-Jangle 1951]." ''Nuclear Weapon Archive.'' Retrieved on [[2008-05-04]].</ref>
*[[Operation Buster-Jangle|Buster Able]] – Considered to be the first known failure of any nuclear device.<ref name="NWA1">Carey Sublette. "[http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/Busterj.html Operation Buster-Jangle 1951]." ''Nuclear Weapon Archive.'' Retrieved on [[2008-05-04]].</ref>
*[[Operation Upshot-Knothole|Upshot Knothole – Ruth]] – The test failed to declassify the site (erase evidence) as it left the bottom third of the {{convert|300|ft|m|sing=on}} shot tower still standing.<ref name="NWA2">Carey Sublette. "[http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/Upshotk.html Operation Upshot-Knothole 1953 - Nevada Proving Ground]." ''Nuclear Weapon Archive.'' Retrieved on [[2008-05-04]].</ref> The [[Operation Upshot-Knothole|Ray]] test conducted the following month was allegedly shot on a shorter {{convert|100|ft|m|sing=on}} tower to ensure that the tower would be completely destroyed.<ref name="NWA2"/>
*[[Operation Upshot-Knothole|Upshot Knothole – Ruth]] – The test failed to declassify the site (erase evidence) as it left the bottom third of the {{convert|300|ft|m|sing=on}} shot tower still standing.<ref name="NWA2">Carey Sublette. "[http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Tests/Upshotk.html Operation Upshot-Knothole 1953 - Nevada Proving Ground]." ''Nuclear Weapon Archive.'' Retrieved on [[2008-05-04]].</ref> The [[Operation Upshot-Knothole|Ray]] test conducted the following month was allegedly shot on a shorter {{convert|100|ft|m|sing=on}} tower to ensure that the tower would be completely destroyed.<ref name="NWA2"/>
*[[Castle Koon]] – a thermonuclear device whose fusion secondary did not ignite
*[[Operation Grapple|Grapple 1]] – Dropped by the British over [[Malden Island]] on [[May 15]], [[1957]], this bomb had an expected yield of over 1 megaton, but only exploded with a force of a quarter of the anticipated yield.<ref name="BBC1"/> The British still considered the test as successful.
*[[Operation Grapple|Grapple 1]] – Dropped by the British over [[Malden Island]] on [[May 15]], [[1957]], this bomb had an expected yield of over 1 megaton, but only exploded with a force of a quarter of the anticipated yield.<ref name="BBC1"/> The British still considered the test as successful.
*[[2006 North Korean nuclear test]] – Russia claimed to have measured 5-15 kt yield, whereas the United States, France, and South Korea measured less than 1 kt yield.<ref name="BBC2">Penny Spiller." [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6040494.stm N Korea test - failure or fake?]." ''[[BBC News]].'' Retrieved on [[2008-05-04]].</ref> This North Korean debut test was weaker than all other countries' initial tests by a factor of 20,<ref name="ATO1">Todd Crowell." [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/HJ14Dg01.html A deadly kind of fizzle]." ''[[Asia Times Online]].'' Retrieved on [[2008-05-04]].</ref> and considered possibly the worst initial test in history.<ref name="AN1">Staff Writer. "[http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v443/n7112/full/443610a.html Special report -The fizzle heard around the world]." ''[[Nature.com]].'' Retrieved on [[2008-05-04]].</ref>
*[[2006 North Korean nuclear test]] – Russia claimed to have measured 5-15 kt yield, whereas the United States, France, and South Korea measured less than 1 kt yield.<ref name="BBC2">Penny Spiller." [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6040494.stm N Korea test - failure or fake?]." ''[[BBC News]].'' Retrieved on [[2008-05-04]].</ref> This North Korean debut test was weaker than all other countries' initial tests by a factor of 20,<ref name="ATO1">Todd Crowell." [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/HJ14Dg01.html A deadly kind of fizzle]." ''[[Asia Times Online]].'' Retrieved on [[2008-05-04]].</ref> and considered possibly the worst initial test in history.<ref name="AN1">Staff Writer. "[http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v443/n7112/full/443610a.html Special report -The fizzle heard around the world]." ''[[Nature.com]].'' Retrieved on [[2008-05-04]].</ref>

Revision as of 21:10, 30 January 2009

In nuclear weapons, a fizzle occurs when the testing of a nuclear bomb fails to meet its expected yield. The reason(s) for the failure can be linked to improper bomb design, poor construction, or lack of expertise.[1][2] All countries that have had a nuclear weapons testing program have experienced fizzles.[3] A fizzle can spread radioactive material throughout the surrounding area, involve a partial fission reaction of the fissile material, or both.[4]

Nuclear tests considered to be fizzles

Tower for the Upshot Knothole – Ruth test. The explosion failed to erase evidence of the test which would have declassified the site.
  • Buster Able – Considered to be the first known failure of any nuclear device.[5]
  • Upshot Knothole – Ruth – The test failed to declassify the site (erase evidence) as it left the bottom third of the 300-foot (91 m) shot tower still standing.[6] The Ray test conducted the following month was allegedly shot on a shorter 100-foot (30 m) tower to ensure that the tower would be completely destroyed.[6]
  • Castle Koon – a thermonuclear device whose fusion secondary did not ignite
  • Grapple 1 – Dropped by the British over Malden Island on May 15, 1957, this bomb had an expected yield of over 1 megaton, but only exploded with a force of a quarter of the anticipated yield.[3] The British still considered the test as successful.
  • 2006 North Korean nuclear test – Russia claimed to have measured 5-15 kt yield, whereas the United States, France, and South Korea measured less than 1 kt yield.[7] This North Korean debut test was weaker than all other countries' initial tests by a factor of 20,[8] and considered possibly the worst initial test in history.[9]

Terrorist concerns

One month after the September 11, 2001 attacks, a CIA informant known as "Dragonfire" reported that al-Qaeda had smuggled a low-yield nuclear weapon into New York City.[10] Although the report was found to be false, concerns that a "fizzle bomb" capable of yielding a fraction of the known 10 kiloton weapons could cause “horrific” consequences, and that it could kill thousands.[2][11]

See also

References

  1. ^ Staff Writer. "NBC Weapons: North Korean Fizzle Bomb." Strategy Page. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
  2. ^ a b Earl Lane. "Nuclear Experts Assess the Threat of a "Backyard Bomb”." American Association for the Advancement of Science. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
  3. ^ a b Meirion Jones." A short history of fizzles." BBC News. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
  4. ^ Theodore E. Liolios." The Effects of Nuclear Terrorism: Fizzles." (PDF) European Program on Science and International Security. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
  5. ^ Carey Sublette. "Operation Buster-Jangle 1951." Nuclear Weapon Archive. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
  6. ^ a b Carey Sublette. "Operation Upshot-Knothole 1953 - Nevada Proving Ground." Nuclear Weapon Archive. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
  7. ^ Penny Spiller." N Korea test - failure or fake?." BBC News. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
  8. ^ Todd Crowell." A deadly kind of fizzle." Asia Times Online. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
  9. ^ Staff Writer. "Special report -The fizzle heard around the world." Nature.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
  10. ^ Nicholas D. Kristof. "An American Hiroshima." New York Times. Published August 11, 2004. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
  11. ^ Michael A. Levi" How Likely is a Nuclear Terrorist Attack on the United States?." Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.