Microseconds into the explosion of a nuclear weapon, energy released in the form of X-rays heats the surrounding environment, forming a fireball of superheated air. Inside the fireball, the temperature and pressure are so extreme that all matter is rendered into a hot plasma of bare nuclei and subatomic particles, as is the case in the Sun’s multi-million-degree core.
The fireball following the airburst explosion of a 300-kiloton nuclear weapon—like the W87 thermonuclear warhead deployed on the Minuteman III missiles currently in service in the US nuclear arsenal—can grow to more than 600 meters (2,000 feet) in diameter and stays blindingly luminous for several seconds, before its surface cools.
The light radiated by the fireball’s heat—accounting for more than one-third of the thermonuclear weapon’s explosive energy—will be so intense that it ignites fires and causes severe burns at great distances. The thermal flash from a 300-kiloton nuclear weapon could cause first-degree burns as far as 13 kilometers (8 miles) from ground zero.
READ MORE
Ted Seay , Stuart Parkinson , Steven Rose TS: New military technology re shape global security situation. Use of algorithmic warfare (computer automated war) and ‘Drone swarms’ such as the attack on Russian base in Syria . 13 drones with bombs carried out the attack. There are hyper velocity technology used in weapons making it impossible to intercept an attack. Use of Artificial Intelligence in creating autonomous weapons. These are all worrying developments making the security of our world even more uncertain. Therefore the claims that nuclear weapons offer stability through ‘deterrence’ is even more weak if not obsolete. TS: “US presidents come and go, but US military policies are hardly affected. The real culprits are the US Dep of Defence (the military), department of energy (the urge to dominate energy sources) and government agencies working hand in glove with large weapons manufacturing corporations. Plus the corporations themselves” A regional nuclear ...
Comments
Post a Comment