Abstract:
The Gobal Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI), National Nuclear Security Administration’s Remove Programme supports permanent threat reduction by eliminating stockpiles of excess weapons usable nuclear materials located at civilian sites throughout the world. This material, if stolen or diverted, poses a significant risk to U.S. and international security. In response to this potential threat, GTRI started an initiative in 2004 to accelerate efforts to recover U.S. and Soviet-origin highly enriched uranium (HEU) from around the world. GTRI also is working to remove so called “gap” nuclear materials that are outside of the scope of the existing Russian-origin and U.S.-origin HEU recovery programme. This paper summarizes the accomplishments and plans for removing and disposing of this highly dangerous material.