Environments as defined in a weapon’s stockpile-to-target sequence and military characteristics in which the weapon is not expected to retain full operational reliability

Material change to, or a prescribed inspection of, a nuclear weapon or major assembly that does not alter its operational capability but is sufficiently important to the user (regarding assembly, maintenance, storage, or test operations) as to require controlled application and identification

Smallest (or ultimate) particle of an element that still retains the characteristics of that element. Every atom consists of a positively charged central nucleus, which carries nearly all the mass of the atom, surrounded by a number of negatively charged electrons, so that the whole system is electrically neutral.

Term sometimes applied to a nuclear weapon utilizing fission energy only.

Number of protons plus neutrons in the nucleus of an atom.

Number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.

Legislation that establishes, changes, or continues a federal program or agency. Authorizing legislation is normally a prerequisite for appropriations. For some programs, primarily entitlements, the authorizing legislation itself provides the authority to incur obligations and make payments. Like Appropriations Acts, authorizing legislation must be [..]

Any missile that does not rely upon aerodynamic surfaces to produce lift and consequently follows a ballistic trajectory when thrust is terminated.

Sharply defined wave of increased pressure rapidly propagated through a surrounding medium from a center of detonation or similar disturbance.

Joint arrangement between the United States and a foreign government for the exchange of specific project or program-type information.