THE TERRIFYING TRUTH OF NUCLEAR BOMBS: Can Humanity Survive?

In the records of human history, few threats have captured our collective imagination and dread as much as nuclear war. The mere mention of this cataclysmic event conjures images of unparalleled destruction and unimaginable suffering. 

Today, we take a look into the heart of this formidable subject, uncovering the genesis of nuclear weapons, the harrowing types in existence, their storage, potential use, and the haunting aftermath of such a nightmarish scenario. 

THE HISTORY OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

The story starts in the crucible of World War II, when the world witnessed the unimaginable power of atomic energy. The Manhattan Project, shrouded in secrecy, gave birth to the first atomic bomb, forever changing the course of history. This newfound capability led to a tense arms race during the Cold War era, with nuclear powers vying for supremacy and deterrence. As technology advanced, the once-exclusive club of nuclear nations expanded, setting off concerns about the spread of nuclear weapons.

The Manhattan Project was a top-secret research and development initiative during World War II, undertaken by the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada to develop the first atomic bombs. It began in 1939 and was led by American physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. The project aimed to harness the power of nuclear fission for military purposes, and it ultimately succeeded with the successful detonation of the first atomic bomb, "Trinity," in New Mexico on July 16, 1945. 

Subsequently, two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan in August 1945, killing over 200,000 people and leading to the surrender of Japan and the end of World War II. The Manhattan Project's successful completion marked the beginning of the nuclear age, profoundly impacting global politics and security.

J. Robert Oppenheimer

TYPES OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS

Nuclear weapons come in diverse forms, each more devastating than the last. Fission bombs derive their power from splitting atoms, while fusion bombs harness the energy of fusing atomic nuclei. These weapons are commonly known as atomic bombs or A-bombs for fission bombs and H-bombs or hydrogen bombs for fusion bombs. Fission bombs use fissile material to initiate a chain reaction, releasing energy ranging from less than a ton of TNT to hundreds of kilotons. In contrast, fusion bombs utilize the Teller-Ulam design, where a fission bomb ignites a fusion fuel, resulting in yields a thousand times more powerful than fission bombs.

Thermonuclear weapons can be created by chaining together multiple stages with increasing amounts of fusion fuel. This design allows for almost arbitrary yields, with the largest ever detonated releasing an energy equivalent to over 50 million tons of TNT. Currently, confirmed possessors of nuclear weapons are the United States, Russia, United Kingdom, People's Republic of China, France, and possibly India and Israel.

Beyond fission and fusion bombs, other types of nuclear weapons exist. Boosted fission weapons increase their yield through a small amount of fusion reactions. Neutron bombs yield a relatively small explosion but emit a large amount of prompt radiation, potentially causing massive casualties while leaving infrastructure mostly intact. Salted bombs surround the weapon with suitable materials to produce exceptionally large quantities of radioactive contamination.

Nuclear weapon design varies in yield and purpose, with efforts to create extremely small weapons. In total, six countries possess these dangerous weapons.

The atomic bomb dropped in Nagasaki, called "Fat Man", in August 1945.

HOW NUCLEAR WEAPONS ARE STORED AND DEPLOYED

Each nuclear superpower implements stringent security measures and employs specific storage systems to ensure that nuclear weapons remain accessible only in extreme circumstances. Typically, these storage facilities are blast-resistant and located underground, reducing the risk of accidental detonation and safeguarding against potential attacks.

For example, in the USA, a cryptographic combination lock is utilized to prevent unauthorized access. The President of the United States theoretically possesses the exclusive authority to authorize the use of nuclear weapons. However, if the cryptographic code were compromised, these weapons could be armed within minutes. Still, deploying them would necessitate assembly on a missile or aircraft.

Historically, the first delivery method for nuclear weapons was through gravity bombs dropped from bomber aircraft, which were also used in the two nuclear weapons deployed during World War II. While this method allows for relatively unrestricted weapon size, it does impose limitations on attack range, response time, and the number of simultaneously deployable weapons. Nowadays, nuclear bombs can be delivered by strategic bombers and tactical fighter-bombers, requiring minimal or no modification to the existing air force fleet.

More strategically advantageous are nuclear weapons mounted on missiles, which use ballistic trajectories to deliver warheads over the horizon. Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) provide certain nations the capability to target any location on the globe with high success rates. Advanced systems such as multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) allow a single missile to launch multiple warheads at different targets, thereby reducing the effectiveness of missile defenses. Missiles are currently the most prevalent delivery method for nuclear weapons, although miniaturizing warheads to fit on missiles remains a challenging task.

Tactical weapons encompass a variety of delivery types, including gravity bombs, missiles, artillery shells, land mines, and nuclear depth charges and torpedoes used in anti-submarine warfare. Although some small, portable tactical weapons have been developed, the challenge lies in combining sufficient yield with portability, thereby limiting their military utility.

MUTUALLY ASSURED DESTRUCTION

One of the prevailing strategies in nuclear warfare today is known as nuclear deterrence or Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD). The core concept behind this approach is that a nation can dissuade potential nuclear attacks from adversaries by threatening retaliation in kind. The primary goal of deterrence is to maintain a second strike capability, ensuring the ability to respond to a nuclear attack on one's country with a nuclear counterattack. Some may even strive for first strike status, which involves the capacity to completely annihilate an enemy's nuclear forces before they can retaliate. Throughout the Cold War, policymakers and military theorists in countries possessing nuclear capabilities devised models to create policies that would prevent them from ever being attacked by nuclear weapons.

Different methods of delivering nuclear weapons enable varying nuclear strategies. This is primarily achieved by making it challenging for adversaries to defend against such weapons or launch preemptive strikes against them. To achieve this, nuclear weapons' locations are kept concealed. They may be placed on mobile platforms like submarines or train cars or hidden underground. Additionally, strategies have been explored to create the impression that a country could survive a nuclear attack. This includes the use of missile defense systems to intercept incoming missiles before they strike or employing civil defense mechanisms to evacuate citizens to safe areas with early warning systems. It is important to note that weapons designed to threaten large populations or generally deter attacks are referred to as "strategic" weapons, while those intended for use in military situations on the battlefield are known as "tactical" weapons.

WHAT IS THE AFTERMATH OF A NUCLEAR BOMB

After a nuclear bomb is detonated, the immediate aftermath is characterized by a blinding flash of light, followed by an intense shockwave that propagates outward from the epicenter. The blast wave causes widespread destruction, demolishing buildings, infrastructure, and causing numerous casualties. Within the first few seconds and minutes, there is a surge of thermal radiation, causing severe burns and fires in the surrounding areas. Radioactive fallout, a mixture of debris and radioactive particles, begins to descend from the mushroom cloud, contaminating the land and posing a significant health hazard. Immediate responders and survivors face the daunting task of providing emergency medical care, search and rescue operations, and managing the chaos.

In the following weeks after the detonation, the impact of the nuclear explosion becomes even more dire. The affected region experiences an acute humanitarian crisis with limited access to food, clean water, and medical supplies. The fallout's radioactive particles continue to pose a long-term health risk, causing radiation sickness and increasing the likelihood of cancer among survivors. The destruction of critical infrastructure hampers recovery efforts, and the psychological trauma faced by survivors leaves a lasting scar on the affected population. Governments and international organizations struggle to coordinate aid and manage the long-term consequences of the detonation.

After a few months or years, the full extent of the nuclear bomb's consequences becomes apparent. The region remains contaminated with radioactive materials, making it uninhabitable for an extended period. The long-lasting radiation effects lead to genetic mutations in plants, animals, and humans, further impacting the ecosystem. The long-term health impacts continue to plague survivors, and birth defects become more prevalent. The economic and social recovery is slow, with significant challenges in rebuilding infrastructure and addressing the psychological trauma experienced by the affected communities. International relations are strained, and efforts are made to strengthen non-proliferation treaties and disarmament agreements to prevent such a catastrophe from happening again. The memory of the detonation serves as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare, urging global efforts towards peace and nuclear disarmament.

The devastation in Hiroshima caused by the atomic bomb

CONCLUSION

Nuclear bombs represent among the most dreadful and formidable weapons ever devised by humanity. The prospect of nuclear war is a grave matter, with the potential to irrevocably disrupt our world and alter life as we know it. While certain governments and nations may indulge in the audacious act of threatening global stability through the use of nuclear strikes, others resort to building nuclear arsenals as a deterrent against potential aggression.

The mutual assured destruction (MAD) strategy emerges as a critical factor in preventing the catastrophic deployment of nuclear bombs. This doctrine hinges on the recognition that the use of nuclear weapons by any party would result in the annihilation of both the aggressor and the defender, thereby deterring any first strike attempts. Thus, the preservation of global peace lies in maintaining a delicate balance, wherein the fear of mutually assured destruction serves as a powerful deterrent against the reckless utilization of these weapons.

Looking ahead, it is our shared hope and responsibility to ensure that the specter of a nuclear bomb ever being employed against anyone remains confined to the pages of history. International cooperation, disarmament efforts, and strengthened non-proliferation agreements stand as essential pillars in the quest for a world free from the perilous threat of nuclear warfare. By collectively advocating for peace, we can forge a more secure future, where the unimaginable consequences of nuclear devastation are averted, and humanity's potential is channeled toward progress, prosperity, and mutual understanding.

References: 

• McGill School: Nuclear weapon
• US Department of Energy: The Manhattan Project 
• ICAN: What happens if nuclear weapons are used?
• The MIT Press Reader: The Devastating Effects of Nuclear Weapons
• The Scientific American: How Many Nuclear Weapons Exist, and Who Has Them?
• National Museum of Nuclear Science and History: The Manhattan Project