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WHAT IS NSDD?
The vision of the U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration’s (DOE/NNSA) Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD) is a world with a layered nuclear security infrastructure to prevent smuggling of radioactive and nuclear (R/N) material. The threat of R/N terrorism is real and continuing and the current international security environment is complex and continuously evolving. NSDD uses a systematic and disciplined approach to pursue its mission to prevent and investigate the smuggling of R/N materials before those materials can be used against the United States or its interests.
NUCLEAR SMUGGLING THREAT The possibility that a terrorist organization or other adversary of the United States could obtain R/N materials has been a major concern since the end of the Cold War. The consequences of the weaponization of such material by competent individuals could be catastrophic in terms of lives lost, property destroyed, and fear created.
The threat of nuclear smuggling involves supply, demand and the ability to unite the two.
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NSDD 20 YEARS
SUPPLY IS PLENTIFUL While much progress has been made to secure R/N materials, they remain prevalent throughout the world. Over 30 countries possess enriched uranium and separated plutonium stored at hundreds of sites. Over 100 countries possess radioactive materials stored at thousands of sites. Country declarations to the IAEA and recurring press reports on the loss and interdiction of R/N materials confirm these materials frequently fall out of regulatory control.
