China Ballistic Missiles and Nuclear Arms Thread

[Hendrik_2000]

I heard China conducts nuclear tests using Tianhe series supercomputers on a regular basis. Do you happen to know exactly how governments model and conduct nuclear tests through this kind of software simulations?

Well I am not weapon designer so I don't know the detail. But in general just like any other simulation software the basis is Physic equation that cannot be solved using classical method So they have to use numerical analysis either finite element or finite difference which necessitate million upon million repetitive calc which the computer excel and they adjust the parameter as they go along comparing it to actual test . The more test the more accurate the model

 

[gelgoog]

I heard once that the main problem is how to do radiation simulation to test the best shape of the components so that the emitted X-rays from the fission reaction initiate the fusion reaction. Supposedly this involves the use of lenses to focus the X-rays.

I have heard the numerical simulation can be done with Monte Carlo methods but I do not know how accurate that is.

Please, Log in or Register to view URLs content!

The US also has laboratories which operate fusion reactors like the National Ignition Facility and the Z Pulsed Power Facility which supposedly can replicate these conditions in tests to calibrate models. France has the Laser Megajoule. I do not know which facilities Russia or China do have for this.

 

[antiterror13]

China has about 100 ICBMs, the US about 400. That's the only thing I'm confident of.

If China wanted to it could build 2000 warheads by 2030 quite easily. The only reason it might not is because it thinks it's a waste of money and it would rather spend money on conventional arms which have an infinitely higher chance of being used.

I don't think it is a waste of money to build new 2,000 warheads. It wouldn't cost more than $2M each, so "only" $4B. The most expensive part is the delivery system and the infrastructure and still not much relatively

 

[antiterror13]

Well I am not weapon designer so I don't know the detail. But in general just like any other simulation software the basis is Physic equation that cannot be solved using classical method So they have to use numerical analysis either finite element or finite difference which necessitate million upon million repetitive calc which the computer excel and they adjust the parameter as they go along comparing it to actual test . The more test the more accurate the model

China stopped the actual tests in 1990s when China had enough "blast" data/information for simulation only, the same thing for the US, Russia, France and the UK

 

[gelgoog]

China stopped the actual tests in 1990s when China had enough "blast" data/information for simulation only, the same thing for the US, Russia, France and the UK

The UK buys their nuclear weapons from the US. AFAIK they do not have any capabilities on their own. In that they do not even manufacture their own plutonium anymore. I think at best they might refurbish warheads. Even the missiles for Trident are imported.

 

[antiterror13]

The UK buys their nuclear weapons from the US. AFAIK they do not have any capabilities on their own.

True, and it is not clear whether the UK is able to use the Trident II freely ... I meant whether the UK would be able to nuke let's say New York ... I don't think the case ... I believe the UK would need an approval from the POTUS

 

[Franklin]

Russia is helping China to work on a early missile warning system. It was suppose to be nearing completion last year. Is there any word of that system being operational now.

 

[quantumlight]

True, and it is not clear whether the UK is able to use the Trident II freely ... I meant whether the UK would be able to nuke let's say New York ... I don't think the case ... I believe the UK would need an approval from the POTUS

Considering the exported F35 needs to get new activation code from US every 24 hours I think its safe bet those nukes are hardcoded never to hit USA

 

[antiterror13]

Considering the exported F35 needs to get new activation code from US every 24 hours I think its safe bet those nukes are hardcoded never to hit USA

Really? have you got any links regarding new activation code every 24 hrs?

 

[Ndla2]

Really? have you got any links regarding new activation code every 24 hrs?

I want to know that too.