REDUCING THE NUCLEAR THREAT

摘要

"The objective of the U.S. Department of Energyrn(DOE)/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)rnMaterial Protection, Control, and Accounting Program isrnto support U.S. national security objectives by enhancingrnthe security of vulnerable stockpiles of nuclear weaponsrnand nuclear weapons-useable material and improve thernability to detect and interdict their illicit trafficking." Thisrnquote underscores the vital importance of this program.rnThe program is helping Russia develop a system wherebyrnRussia protects, controls, and accounts for its ownrnnuclear weapons and weapons-usable nuclear materials.rnImplementing such a far-reaching program involves manyrnchallenges and is most often accomplished by supportingrnupgrades to critical facilities at the Russian sites havingrnnuclear material. Installing upgraded systems reduces thernrisk of nuclear material theft and improves global securityrnby denying terrorists and others the essential ingredientsrnfor nuclear explosives. A site may contain multiplernfacilities and tens to hundreds of buildings, many of whichrnmay contain nuclear materials that make them arnproliferation threat. The scope of upgrades can berndaunting and, due to limited funding, schedules, and otherrnconstraints, implementation priorities must bernestablished. Both short-term (rapid) and long-termrn(comprehensive) upgrades have been implemented. Rapidrnupgrades place emphasis on reducing risk effectively andrnquickly.