Nevadatestområdet

Nevadatestområdet, officially known as the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), is a United States Department of Energy facility located in southeastern Nevada. It covers approximately 3,500 square miles of desert terrain. The site was established in 1951 as the Nevada Proving Grounds for the testing of nuclear weapons.

Throughout the Cold War, the NNSS was the primary location for the majority of aboveground and underground nuclear detonations conducted by the United States. These tests were crucial for developing and maintaining the nation's nuclear arsenal. Over 900 nuclear tests were conducted at the site. Following the signing of the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty in 1963, all tests moved underground. The last underground nuclear test at the NNSS was conducted in 1992, and the U.S. has maintained a moratorium on nuclear testing since then.

Today, the NNSS is used for a variety of national security missions. These include supporting the Stockpile Stewardship Program, which ensures the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent without explosive testing. The site also conducts research and development in areas such as nonproliferation, counterterrorism, and advanced manufacturing. Its vast, remote, and controlled environment makes it suitable for realistic training exercises and the testing of new technologies. The NNSS is a highly secure facility with limited public access.