a measure of explosive power (of an atomic weapon) equal to that of 1000 tons of TNT
<noun.quantity>
The verification protocols came about because while both sides had agreed to abide by the 150 kiloton limit, the United States believed the Soviets had violated that ceiling as many as 24 times and sought more accurate monitoring methods.
The device will be able to bombard objects with energy as strong as 600 kiloton blasts _ 30 times the power of the bomb that devastated Hiroshima.
A kiloton has the explosive force of 1,000 tons of TNT.
DOE spokesman Jim Boyer said the 20-150 kiloton weapon would be exploded at 9 a.m. Wednesday about 1,900 feet beneath the surface of Pahute Mesa, about 105 miles northwest of Las Vegas.
Both delegation leaders expressed hope the two sides would conclude protocols for verifying two treaties that limit nuclear tests to 150 kiloton explosions.
Jim Boyer, an Energy Department spokesman, said the test was not as large as the 150 kiloton maximum limit adhered to by the United States and the Soviet Union, but he declined to reveal the weapon's power.