Test blast linked to nuke weapons (& not Iran's)

[NVMojo]

Contrary to the Pentagon's earlier denials, a government official overseeing a test explosion at the Nevada Test Site in June says the blast could help with the development of nuclear weapons.

The detonation could simulate "a number of weapon concepts," said Doug Bruder, director of the counter-weapons of mass destruction program for the Defense Department's Defense Threat Reduction Agency.

"It could be nuclear or advanced conventional," he said. "A charge of this size would be more related to a nuclear weapon."

Bruder made his remarks during a tour of the Test Site with reporters this week.

The purpose of the test remains an issue in Washington and Nevada as the Defense Department continues to prepare the site for a June 2 blast of 700 tons of conventional explosives.

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2006/apr/28/566655395.html

[NVMojo]

1. too disracted to realize how this ties in with yucca mtn approval?

Vegas will figure it out, I hope.

[LiberalVoice]

2. Someone help me understand...

How exactly can you discharge a nuclear weapon in Nevada and not have radioation reach people? I'll be the first to say I dont know much about nuclear explosions but couldn't the wind carry radiation/fall out towards inhabited areas?

[stlsaxman]

3. this Nevada test is a 700 ton conventional weapon, but-

it is on a test site that is still radioactive and the dirt will drift over inhabited areas.

[leftchick]

4. This weapon "simulates" a nuclear weapon

I believe it is a 700 ton bomb used to simulate one of the nukes rummy wants to use in Iran. One huge issue is stirring up nuclear waste from sixty years ago that is all over NV. Where the fuck is Harry Reid?

[annabanana]

5. This is the blast that Randi Rhodes has been

hollering about for weeks.

[acmejack]

6. It is obvious that it is modeling a B61-11 Robust Earth Penetrator

[IndianaGreen]

11. Divine Straker is to test technology to be used in Iran nuke strike

DUer enlightenment posted this back in April using Google Earth:

[acmejack]

13. A B61 is the bunker buster which they will actually drop

It is the bomb that they are modeling with divine STRAKE. I am pretty well versed in what they are up to with their toys out there.

[ama]

7. how about

They are going to test a nuclear bunker buster bomb and don´t want to upset the locals?

[Rose Siding]

8. Arrogant, wasteful gift to every other entity looking for nukes

Hiring is frozen for HSD, DoD, NASA and about 20 other agencies in favor of this hateful endeavor. Couple that obvious hit to our safety with the fact that whatever they create will eventually, inevitably, be in the hands of our natural and designer enemies. This is a heavy blow to our national security.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2253829&mesg_id=2253829

[The Wielding Truth]

9. What a mess.

I think there is a plan to use these superior weapons as a way to lord over the world by small minded yet power hungry businessmen,not as a deterrent, or is it a way to stop a hemorrhage of dissidents.
What do you think? Is there any way these could be necessary?

[Rose Siding]

10. I think someone's getting richer

This kind of profiteering can always find support from those with access to power.

A national defense against the asymmetrical threats we now face depends on the cooperation and good will of our strongest allies. This kind of weapon development will only alienate them. This is the opposite of what would really help, like destroying most of the aging stockpiles.

[goforit]

12. Typical rougue style of thinking. Cavemen with big toys!

[newspeak]

14. that test is too close to Yucca Mountain

and isn't there a fault line near Yucca Mountain? I'm in the Vegas area and I don't like it one bit! Divine Strake, what total BS--what's so divine about it?