Nuclear Security Administration conducts test at Nevada National Security Site

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) — The Trump Administration says it has concluded a subsurface, non-nuclear chemical high-explosive experiment at the Nevada National Security Site.

In a statement released Wednesday, the administration says the test was conducted to advance the United States’ ability to detect low-yield nuclear explosions.

“It takes nuclear expertise to detect nuclear activities and experiments like these ensure America remains unmatched in detection,” said Brandon Williams, NNSA Administrator. “The Trump Administration has made it clear that the United States will lead from a position of strength. You cannot evade American innovation. With this experiment, we are sending a clear message: under this administration, America will never be outmatched.”

The experiment was conducted in the P Tunnel of Area 12 using chemical high-explosives and radiotracers.

Data collected from the experiment will be used validate scientific models and refine algorithms used in U.S. nuclear explosion detection efforts.