What is the purpose of seals used on nuclear weapon system components?

The primary purpose of seals used on nuclear weapon system components is to verify that a component has not been tampered with or activated. These seals provide a critical security function by ensuring the integrity of the weapon system. They act as indicators that unauthorized access or alterations have not occurred since the last verification, which is essential for maintaining safety and compliance with strict protocols surrounding nuclear weapons.

This mechanism is vital in the context of nuclear security, as any tampering could potentially lead to serious safety risks or compromise the reliability of the weapon system. Therefore, the presence of an intact seal serves as a reliable assurance that the components are in their original, unaltered state.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the primary security and verification role of seals. For example, while performance guarantee and storage are important considerations, they are not the specific functions of seals in the context of nuclear components. Instead, seals focus on security and integrity, making option C the most accurate answer.