High-explosive testing is a critical, yet often under-researched, phase of nuclear weapons development. It is the process used to perfect the non-nuclear "trigger" that compresses a nuclear core to achieve a chain reaction. ONN is proud to present a comprehensive digital deep-dive into this infrastructure. Using satellite imagery, comparisons with known sites and open-source analysis, we have explored the DPRK’s possible high-explosive testing capabilities.
StoryMap: “High-Explosives Testing in the DPRK: A Comparative Analysis”
ArcGIS StoryMap that examines the DPRK’s high-explosive (HE) testing infrastructure and activities through a comparative analysis with known or suspected HE testing facilities in other nuclear-armed states, combined with detailed site-level assessments within the DPRK. In support of this research are two detailed publications:
Report: High-Explosives Testing in Nuclear Weapons Programmes”
Drawing on open-source documentation, this research examines what HEs are, how they are used, how and why they are tested, and their unique signatures. By providing a general overview of HEs and their testing regimes, this paper seeks to aid other open-source researchers by providing a baseline level of information that can be used to analyse states’ nuclear weapons programmes, an area that is largely under-researched.
StoryMap: “High-Explosives Testing Sites in Nuclear-Armed States: A Comparative Analysis”
ArcGIS StoryMap that provides an overview of the current status and evolution of HE testing capabilities in five nuclear-armed states, from which a comparative analysis with the DPRK was conducted.
About the Project
This research is part of the recently concluded project, Open-Source Assessments of the DPRK’s Nuclear Programme. The Verification Research, Training and Information Centre (VERTIC), the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), with funding from Global Affairs Canada, conducted this multi-year project to assess the weapons of mass destruction programme in the DPRK. The Open Nuclear Network (ONN), a PAX sapiens programme, contributed specialised analysis on nuclear force structures, weaponisation capabilities and future trajectories to this consortium.