Nuclear Weapons strongRstrongD Organizations in Nine Nations.pdfVIP

Nuclear Weapons RD Organizations in Nine Nations Jonathan Medalia, Coordinator Specialist in Nuclear Weapons Policy Paul Belkin Analyst in European Affairs Shirley A. Kan Specialist in Asian Security Affairs Paul K. Kerr Analyst in Nonproliferation Derek E. Mix Analyst in European Affairs Mary Beth Nikitin Specialist in Nonproliferation Jim Zanotti Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs May 1, 2013 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 R40439 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Nuclear Weapons RD Organizations in Nine Nations Summary Seven nations—China, France, India, Pakistan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—possess nuclear weapons. North Korea tested a nuclear explosive device in 2006, and announced that it had conducted a test in 2009 and another in 2013. Israel is widely thought to have nuclear weapons. As an aid to Congress in understanding nuclear weapons, nuclear proliferation, and arms control matters, this report describes which agency is responsible for research and development (RD) of nuclear weapons (i.e., nuclear explosive devices, as distinct from the bombers and missiles that deliver them) in these nations and whether these agencies are civilian or military. It also traces the history of such agencies in the United States from 1942 to the present. This report will be updated annually, or more often as developments warrant. In the United States, the Army managed the nuclear weapons program during World War II. Since 1946, weapons RD has been managed by civilian agencies, at present by the National Nuclear Security Ad