Overview

Since Sandia’s beginnings, the Labs have assured the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile remains safe, secure, and reliable. In the 1940s, scientists evaluated and inspected weapons, although they lacked field test data.

In the 1960s, the Labs began conducting joint flight tests which continue today. Using Joint Test Assemblies (JTA), Sandians are able to randomly select a limited number of weapons from the stockpile each year and test them. Nuclear components are removed and a JTA, which has the same mechanical, electrical, and ballistic features, is inserted.

In this tour, you will view the Telemetry Electrical Laboratory where scientists create telemetry systems that monitor and confirm all functions perform successfully during flight tests.