Between 1951 and 1957, the Nevada Proving Grounds became the primary site for U.S. nuclear bomb tests, marking a pivotal era in Cold War weapons development. The tests aimed to study bomb effects and refine America’s nuclear arsenal in a controlled desert environment. During the Desert Rock exercises, thousands of U.S. soldiers were stationed nearby to observe detonations and practice combat maneuvers under simulated nuclear battlefield conditions. These experiments sought to assess troop readin

In 1953, the United States conducted a historic nuclear test known as “Upshot-Knothole Grable” at the Nevada Test Site. It marked the first and only time the U.S. fired a live nuclear artillery shell, demonstrating the potential of atomic battlefield weapons. The 15-kiloton shell was launched from a specially designed M65 “Atomic Cannon” and detonated roughly seven miles away, producing a massive mushroom cloud. While showcasing Cold War military power, the test also raised concerns about the pr