[Travis McGee]

In a dry run of a smuggling route you need a close 'stand in' for the cargo to really test the validity of the system from start to finish.

A washing machine would be a close stand in for a nuke in size and weight.

Not having a stand in could invalidate the test, because the person/agent might sneak out of the cargo box in port and get away via a method or route that would be impossible for an agent shlepping a 150 pound bulky washing machine (or nuke).

[Miss Marple]

Coincidentally, Netenyahu's testimony today talked about Saddam's ability to manufacture radioactive weapons using centrifuges "the size of washing machines."

Perhaps the "washing machine" was a stand in for a centrifuge...or actually the centrifuge itself.

[browardchad]

Speaking of dirty bombs, anyone remember Jose Padilla? Coincidence that this breaks today?

NATO briefly detains Bosnians over US 'dirty bomber' case