Proposed Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT) and Its Potential Impact on U.S. Navy Nuclear Propulsion Programs

摘要

This thesis examines the problems that United States Navy nuclear propulsion programs might encounter if the United States agreed to sign a version of the proposed Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) affecting the production of nuclear reactor fuel. The ultimate purpose of the FMCT is to contribute to the fulfillment of the goal of nuclear disarmament by terminating the production of plutonium and highly enriched uranium for weapon purposes. This thesis explores the potential impact of an FMCT on the U.S. Navy's nuclear propulsion systems. It also examines other options that might be available to the United States Navy to proceed with its nuclear propulsion programs (such as using low-enriched uranium as reactor fuel), as well as to maintain the security of its propulsion reactor designs.