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There's probably a lot covered by ITAR in a 78-year-old atomic bomb. For better or for worse, ITAR isn't specifically about new technology secrets, it's about i

There's probably a lot covered by ITAR in a 78-year-old atomic bomb. For better or for worse, ITAR isn't specifically about new technology secrets, it's about information and material with military application. You can't sell a US WWII tank without rendering its main gun inoperable to a civilian, much less a foreigner. That's not because ITAR is worried about foreign governments reverse-engineering that gun.

ethbr1 3y ago
Afaik, there's surprisingly little about the atomic bomb construction that's covered by export restrictions. Fissile materials, ofc. But the US government took the approach that "secret is better than banned" with the bomb, and just never stated any of the details (as they would have been required to, in order to prohibit them). MAD trade secrets, I guess.
throwup238 3y ago
> You can't sell a US WWII tank without rendering its main gun inoperable to a civilian, much less a foreigner. You actually can sell a tank with a working cannon (to a civilian in the US, foreign national or not) if you have at least a Type 09 license to deal in destructive devices and the buyer has a destructive device permit. To export it would be a lot harder (and getting the aforementioned permits is no joke either).
- adolph 3y ago
  Hmm, seems like they missed licensing "Collector of 'Destructive Devices'." Maybe that's the invisible Type 9¾? Types of FFL: Type 01 – Firearm Dealer/Gunsmith Type 02 – Pawnbroker Type 03 – Collector Type 06 – Manufacture of Ammunition Type 07 – Manufacturer of Firearms Type 08 – Importer of Firearms Type 09 – Dealer of “Destructive Devices” Type 10 – Manufacturer of “Destructive Devices” Type 11 – Importer of “Destructive Devices” https://rocketffl.com/ffl-license-types/ https://rocketffl.com/ffl-license-types/
  - throwup238 3y ago
    There's basically two main classes of destructive devices: explosives and firearms with a bore over half an inch. The permits for the former are mostly issued to demolition and mining and it would be insane to allow anyone to "collect" explosives that degrade and become unstable. You don't actually need either the FFL or the permit if you just decommission the main gun, which is how most tank and artillery collectors get theirs. DD permits are rarely issued for explosives without a good reason (like construction or mining) so even if you get the permit for the gun, you'll struggle to get one for the shells.
londons_explore 3y ago
Sure, but one would expect that any country whose military was a credible threat wouldn't be 50 years behind on any technology, and therefore would have independently invented something equivalent, or at least have all the knowledge/technology to be able to.

ethbr1 3y ago

Afaik, there's surprisingly little about the atomic bomb construction that's covered by export restrictions. Fissile materials, ofc. But the US government took the approach that "secret is better than banned" with the bomb, and just never stated any of the details (as they would have been required to, in order to prohibit them). MAD trade secrets, I guess.

throwup238 3y ago

> You can't sell a US WWII tank without rendering its main gun inoperable to a civilian, much less a foreigner. You actually can sell a tank with a working cannon (to a civilian in the US, foreign national or not) if you have at least a Type 09 license to deal in destructive devices and the buyer has a destructive device permit. To export it would be a lot harder (and getting the aforementioned permits is no joke either).

adolph 3y ago
Hmm, seems like they missed licensing "Collector of 'Destructive Devices'." Maybe that's the invisible Type 9¾? Types of FFL: Type 01 – Firearm Dealer/Gunsmith Type 02 – Pawnbroker Type 03 – Collector Type 06 – Manufacture of Ammunition Type 07 – Manufacturer of Firearms Type 08 – Importer of Firearms Type 09 – Dealer of “Destructive Devices” Type 10 – Manufacturer of “Destructive Devices” Type 11 – Importer of “Destructive Devices” https://rocketffl.com/ffl-license-types/ https://rocketffl.com/ffl-license-types/
- throwup238 3y ago
  There's basically two main classes of destructive devices: explosives and firearms with a bore over half an inch. The permits for the former are mostly issued to demolition and mining and it would be insane to allow anyone to "collect" explosives that degrade and become unstable. You don't actually need either the FFL or the permit if you just decommission the main gun, which is how most tank and artillery collectors get theirs. DD permits are rarely issued for explosives without a good reason (like construction or mining) so even if you get the permit for the gun, you'll struggle to get one for the shells.

londons_explore 3y ago

Sure, but one would expect that any country whose military was a credible threat wouldn't be 50 years behind on any technology, and therefore would have independently invented something equivalent, or at least have all the knowledge/technology to be able to.