Gamma-ray measurements of a soviet cruise-missile warhead

Science. 1990 May 18;248(4957):828-34. doi: 10.1126/science.248.4957.828.

Abstract

A portable germanium detector was used to detect gamma-ray emissions from a nuclear warhead aboard the Soviet cruiser Slava. Measurements taken on the missile launch tube indicated the presence of uranium-235 and plutonium-239-the essential ingredients of nuclear weapons. With the use of this equipment, these isotopes probably could have been identified at a distance of 4 meters from the warhead. Such inspections do not reveal detailed information about the design of the warhead.