U.S. Department of Energy - OSTI

NUCLEAR WEAPONS LOCATIONS
This section will assist non-DOE reviewers to identify documents that may contain sensitive
nuclear weapons storage location information and require referral to DOE.
Classification Issues
Under joint DOE-DoD classification guidance, any information revealing U.S. nuclear weapons
locations or stockpile quantities, past or present, is potentially sensitive.
Locations may include:
• Foreign countries,
• U.S. locations (states, territories, or possessions),
• On board ship at sea or making port calls, or
• Aircraft overflying a foreign country or landing for any reason.
Documents containing information on overseas locations
should also be referred to DoD and the Department of State.
WARHEAD VS. DELIVERY SYSTEM
One of the most common problems reviewers have is determining the context in which the
presence of a nuclear weapon delivery system (e.g., Jupiter missile, 8-inch howitzer), which is
not classified, implies the presence of its warhead (e.g., W33, B61), which usually is classified.
The implications are often subtle and require DOE personnel with extensive training and
experience to tell the difference.
Subject Area Indicators and Key Word List 13