Nuclear weapons safety: The case of trident

Abstract

An accidental detonation or ignition of propellant in a Trident missile, or of explosive material in one of the warheads, could lead to dispersal of toxic plutonium into a populated area. We examine the details of Trident nuclear weapons safety and assess the feasibility, cost and consequences of safety‐enhancing modifications to the missiles and warheads. We find that the operational impacts of such modifications would be minor, especially if the number of warheads per missile is decreased as a result of START II. Several billion dollars, and a small number of nuclear tests, would be needed to enhance safety for Trident.