Key facts
- The U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration conducted a non-nuclear experiment on Wednesday.
- The experiment used chemical high-explosives and radiotracers.
- The goal is to improve detection of low-yield nuclear explosions.
- The U.S. previously accused China of conducting a secret nuclear test in 2020.
- China denied the U.S. allegations of a secret nuclear test in 2020.
The U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration conducted a subsurface, non-nuclear chemical high-explosive experiment on Wednesday, aimed at improving the nation's ability to detect low-yield nuclear explosions. The Energy Department stated that data from the experiment will be used to validate scientific models and refine algorithms critical to U.S. nuclear explosion detection efforts.
The experiment was specifically designed to enhance capabilities for detecting a "decoupled" explosion, a type of test that Washington alleges China conducted in June 2020 to reduce the effectiveness of seismic monitoring. Earlier this year, the United States accused Beijing of conducting that secret nuclear test and called for a new, broader arms control treaty.
China has previously stated that the U.S. allegations were "entirely unfounded" and an attempt to "fabricate excuses for resuming" U.S. nuclear testing.