[abnegation]

"This is not. I'm willing to be mistaken, but I wouldn't have
bet that field equipment can distinguish between radioactive
isotopes. The "weapons grade" also causes my BS meter to
increment. "

Virtually any combination of plutonium isotopes -- the different forms of an element having different numbers of neutrons in their nuclei -- can be used to make a nuclear weapon. Not all combinations, however, are equally convenient or efficient.

The most common isotope, plutonium-239, is produced when the most common isotope of uranium, uranium-238, absorbs a neutron and then quickly decays to plutonium. It is this plutonium isotope that is most useful in making nuclear weapons, and it is produced in varying quantities in virtually all operating nuclear reactors.

[Consort]

Desert Shower.

[Boundless]

> It is this plutonium isotope that is most useful in
> making nuclear weapons, and it is produced in varying
> quantities in virtually all operating nuclear reactors.

Roger that.
I meant to say "distinguish between radioactive elements".

I have a problem with the reports: I would still bet that
field detectors can't distinguish between uranium and
plutonium (much less isotopes thereof).

I also wonder if anyone trying to get quickly to a simple,
reliable bomb that doesn't even need testing, would bother
with Pu. After all, the first US nuke was uranium, and it
was "tested" over Japan.