Nuclear Tests US Resumption Would Take Years

The United States would need considerable time, money, and expertise to resume nuclear testing, according to experts. The Washington Post reports that reviving nuclear tests would take years and cost hundreds of millions of dollars. The Nevada Test Site, where the U.S. conducted its last nuclear detonation more than three decades ago, now relies on computer simulations instead of live explosions.

President Donald Trump recently announced that he had instructed the Department of Defense to begin testing nuclear weapons on an equal footing with Russia and China, with preparations to start immediately. However, it is unclear whether he was referring to underground nuclear detonations, which none of the three nations have conducted for decades. Moscow has warned that any U.S. nuclear explosion would provoke a symmetrical response.

The task of resuming nuclear testing would fall to the Department of Energy, specifically the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which oversees the Nevada Test Site. Experts estimate that even a symbolic detonation would require significant resources. Ernest Moniz, former head of the Department of Energy, said that preparing for a “stunt” explosion could take up to a year. Corey Hinderstein, a former senior NNSA official, noted that excavating a new vertical shaft at the test site would cost around $100 million. The United States may also struggle to find personnel with hands‑on testing experience, according to Paul Dickman, a longtime nuclear official, who emphasized that competent test directors need practical experience rather than merely bureaucratic or administrative skills.

Since its last test in 1992, the U.S. has relied on computer simulations and subcritical tests to maintain confidence in its nuclear stockpile. The announcement coincided with reports from Russian President Vladimir Putin of successful tests of advanced nuclear systems, including the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon underwater drone, both of which use compact nuclear reactors for propulsion. These developments underscore the ongoing efforts by major nuclear powers to modernize their arsenals, with significant implications for global security and non‑proliferation.

The potential resumption of nuclear testing by the United States could have far‑reaching consequences, and the international community will be watching the next steps closely.