Field of Nuclear Weapon Operations

Hey all. I'm very intrigued by the operation of nuclear weapons. Not that I want to launch them, but the tech and science behind it fascinate me. I'm wondering, what branch of the military is responsible for launching nuclear weapons?

The United States Air Force and the United States Navy are the two branches of the military primarily responsible for the operation and launch of nuclear weapons.

In the Air Force, this is handled by the Global Strike Command which operates Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). ICBMs are land-based nuclear missiles that are maintained in highly-secure silos across the country. They can be launched toward targets around the globe.

On the other hand, the Navy operates ballistic missile submarines that carry Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs). These submarines patrol under the sea and are designed to avoid detection, providing a secure secondary capability to deliver these weapons.

It should be noted that while it is possible to study and even work with nuclear technology in the military, the specific role of handling and launching these weapons is a very specialized role with stringent security protocols. Access to these roles requires a high-level security clearance.

Additionally, for academic knowledge and research, nuclear engineering is a field where you can explore the principles behind nuclear reactions, although this is typically focused more on energy production than weaponry. Various universities offer programs in this field of study where you could dive into the scientific and technical aspects that fascinate you.