Did the US just run a failed nuclear test?

If so, they might call it a "high-explosive experiment" designed to "validate new predictive explosion models" that "advance our efforts to develop new technology" ...

I don’t know the answer. I've seen many questions and speculations aired from both sides that the nuclear stockpile of the other side has degraded so much that the warheads are now duds. In a few cases, there have been risky suggestions that their side could go ahead and nuke the other side at will, owing to the other side’s inability to retaliate. I suppose that the upcoming round of fresh nuclear tests are the only thing that could help put these doubts to rest.

However, it is also risky if one of the sides runs a test, and it fails. And if one of the tests did fail, how would they spin it in order to try and cover up the failure? I suppose they might call it a "high-explosive experiment" designed to "validate new predictive explosion models" that "advance our efforts to develop new technology in support of U.S. nuclear nonproliferation goals."

Such a series of events is exactly what Fox News reported today (19 October 2023).

In other words, the US may have just performed a failed test. The excuse that whatever happened in Nevada this week will help to detect nuclear tests of other countries appears absurd. An array of technologies have been developed to detect nuclear explosions, including ubiquitous global seismographic networks that can distinguish explosions from natural earthquakes. And under the present circumstances, with the collapse of the Test Ban Treaty, there is no incentive for Russia, China, or anyone else to try and hide a test…they will want to broadcast it loud and clear to the entire world so that all will know they are still nuclear capable.

If, on the other hand, the US was not trying to run a nuclear test, and they are being completely honest about the intent of this “high-explosive experiment,” then maybe they should have thought about the possibility that it would be perceived to be a failed nuclear test? Or could such a perception and sowing of doubt be the goal of a test, in order to bait another nuclear power into being more confident? Either way, I don’t see how this is wise.

It does seem as if that the people in charge today aren’t nearly as thoughtful as those who ran these programs in the past. Let’s hope they wake up before they make a huge mistake that serves to catalyze nuclear warfare.