What constitutes unauthorized use of nuclear weapons?

The identification of unauthorized use of nuclear weapons is fundamentally tied to the protocols and command structures that govern their deployment and activation. Activation or deployment of nuclear weapons without proper authorization from command is the central aspect that defines unauthorized use. This ensures that nuclear weapons are only handled, activated, or launched following established protocols and authorizations from designated officials. This process is critical for maintaining national and international security and preventing accidental or malicious use of such devastating weapons.

Testing weapons in a controlled environment and conducting drills with nuclear warheads, while sensitive activities, are typically conducted under strict oversight and with pre-established guidelines, making them authorized practices rather than unauthorized use. Stockpiling nuclear materials without oversight involves a lack of regulatory compliance, but it does not directly pertain to the use of weapons already in the arsenal.

Thus, the emphasis on proper command and control mechanisms is what distinctly marks the unauthorized use of nuclear weapons when those protocols are not followed.