I’m assuming the science of making one is out there. Why then countries like Iran who so want to develop atomic weapons haven’t been able to do so?
In: Physics
In addition, it’s not about just “having the bomb”. For it to be actual threat to anyone, it has to be able to hit your opponent as well. For that, three main methods exist; either it’s on a massive rocket, called ICBM, or you deliver it via long range bomber plane, or best of all, you have a submarine that can virtually stay hidden in the depths forever and pop up and fire the missile.
Most affordable method – long-range bomber planes aren’t very useful nowadays, unless they’re insanely high-tech (stealth and all), and even then, this method is most likely to fail.
ICBM’s in missile silos or on mobile launchers will be monitored very closely in the era of satellites, and they *can* be shot down. Plus, it’s very expensive. Also, you need considerable knowledge about rocketry, and likely a very expensive program to even get there. North Korea is trying this hard right now, and we hear of new tests every couple of years.
And nuclear submarines are even more difficult to build and expensive to maintain than nuclear weapons. But, if you manage to build a submarine with nuclear engine, and arm it with nuclear missile, you’re basically in the club. Those vessels will likely be last thing to survive if entire world goes to hell. Their only weakness is that there’s human crew who needs food. Otherwise, they could stay underwater pretty much until they break down completely.
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