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To: Chode

Triggers might be unreliable, but boost gases like Dueterium and tritium are almost certainly defunct. Those tiny nukes need the boosting to produce much of a yield. Neutron generators might be inop as well.

IIRC, small nukes like artillery shells and man portables need yearly maintenance.


40 posted on 07/28/2020 8:23:50 PM PDT by doorgunner69 (Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading - T Jefferson)
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To: doorgunner69
You are correct sir. Deuterium and Tritium are relatively short half life material (5-7 years. Half life means in one half life, half the material has decayed to something else). If they are Soviet Era weapons, then the fusion aspect of the device would be virtually worthless. This small of a device would most likely have to be an implosion type device using Plutonium. As someone else mentioned earlier the capacitors to create the implosion have to be basically perfect, exact and simultaneous discharge or the implosion to create the nuclear aspect doesn't work. The biggest issue would be the Plutonium, it's not only radioactive, but also physically toxic, but if the conventional explosives still work, would spread toxic and radioactive material around, but at least would be relatively local. I personally wouldn't be upset if some potential terrorist is now suffering from not only radiological effects, but also toxicity from Plutonium.
46 posted on 07/29/2020 12:56:21 AM PDT by fatherofthree (Backpack Nukes)
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To: doorgunner69

100%


54 posted on 07/29/2020 6:04:01 AM PDT by Chode (Send bachelors and come heavily armed.)
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