Defense Nuclear Agency

• Origins in Atomic Energy: The Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) was established in 1971, but its origins trace back to the Manhattan Project and the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project (AFSWP), which managed nuclear weapons after World War II. • Role in Nuclear Test Coordination: DNA was responsible for overseeing and coordinating U.S. nuclear weapons tests, including underground tests at the Nevada Test Site and Pacific Proving Grounds. • Operation Ivy: Predecessor organizations to DNA played a major role in Operation Ivy (1952), which included the first successful test of a hydrogen bomb (code-named "Ivy Mike"). • Radiological Defense: DNA conducted research on protecting military forces from nuclear blast, heat, and radiation, helping to develop the field of nuclear survivability and fallout shelters. • Starfish Prime: DNA managed the aftermath and analysis of Starfish Prime, a 1962 high-altitude nuclear test that knocked out satellites and caused electromagnetic pulse (EMP) effects over Hawaii. • Renaming and Evolution: In 1996, the Defense Nuclear Agency was reorganized and renamed the Defense Special Weapons Agency (DSWA), and later became part of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) in 1998. • Support for Arms Control Treaties: DNA played a key role in verifying compliance with nuclear arms control treaties, including SALT and START, by providing technical expertise and monitoring capabilities. • Project Orion: DNA explored the feasibility of nuclear-powered spacecraft through Project Orion, which studied using nuclear explosions for spacecraft propulsion (though it was never realized). • Declassified Footage: DNA preserved and declassified thousands of nuclear test films, which are now invaluable historical and scientific resources for understanding nuclear explosions. • Global Partnerships: DNA cooperated with allied nations on nuclear defense issues, including sharing knowledge with the UK and participating in NATO exercises involving nuclear scenarios.