Nuclear
Department of Defense eyes new nuclear gravity bomb variant
Although nuclear disarmament and de-escalation has been the focus for years, last week the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) changed course in a proposal to Congress, wherein it sought approval for a modern variant of the B61 nuclear gravity bomb. "Today's announcement is reflective of a... Read More »
Nuclear Threat Initiative paper provides analysis, contemplates shape of nuclear planning
In a far-ranging paper on the past, present, and future of nuclear policy and conflict released this week, the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) called for a renewed investigation into the effects of nuclear conflict. Faced with conflicts currently ranging from Ukraine to Israel and threats of... Read More »
Nuclear Threat Initiative urges reprioritizing nuclear threats, innovative new strategies
The dangers of nuclear catastrophe are still very real, according to Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) president and COO Joan Rohfing, and at a recent event at the University of Pennsylvania, she urged new ideas, new thinkers and new funding to address it. The working theory of nuclear deterrence... Read More »
Reps. Green, Pfluger seek answers from Biden administration on Iran threats
U.S. Reps. Mark Green, MD (R-TN) and August Pfluger (R-TX) are requesting that the Biden administration provide more information on threats made by Iran against U.S. officials and individuals. Specifically, the lawmakers are requesting a briefing on the ongoing threats against former national... Read More »
NTI report examines regressing nuclear security conditions
A Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) analysis maintains nuclear security conditions are regressing among the dozens of countries, as well as areas with weapons-usable nuclear materials and nuclear facilities. “The bottom line is that the countries and areas with the greatest responsibility for... Read More »
Two health security bills propose investigation of nuclear war health impacts, safe use of gene synthesis
A pair of bills introduced by U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and U.S. Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) this week would authorize the federal government to investigate the health impacts of nuclear weapons and promote safe design and mass-production of genetic material through artificial gene synthesis.... Read More »
National Nuclear Security Administration plan calls for revitalized nuclear security, stockpiles without explosive testing
In its 2023 Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan, recently submitted to Congress, the United States Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) called for modernization, ongoing production of warheads and plutonium pits, and better nuclear security. “The SSMP... Read More »
Report: Nearly 150 illegal or illicit trafficking incidents of radioactive material occurred last year
According to a new report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), pulled from its own database, 146 incidents of illegal or unauthorized activities occurred in 2022 involving nuclear and other radioactive material. While the IAEA’s global database utilizes information from 143... Read More »
BAE Systems to aid Australia nuclear powered submarines effort
Officials from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have indicated defense, aerospace, and security company BAE Systems will play a key role in helping Australia acquire its first nuclear-powered submarines. The trilateral agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the... Read More »
President’s 2024 National Nuclear Security Administration Budget seeks $23.8B
For a mix of modernization and strengthening efforts of the agency’s nuclear deterrence capabilities, President Joe Biden submitted his National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) 2024 budget request this week. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), $23.8 billion is being sought... Read More »
Pacific Northwest National Lab earns FLC award for commercializing radiological materials tracking system
For successfully licensing its electronic radiological material tracker, Mobile Source Transit Security (MSTS), to private industry, a Pacific Northwest National Laboratory team was honored last week with a 2023 Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Excellence in Technology Transfer Award. The FLC... Read More »
IAEA report pushes for proper emergency response training and national radiological emergency plans
A new report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) looked into a 2013 radiological incident in Hueypoxtla, Mexico, in which a radioactive source was stolen, and used the incident as a sign that security and law enforcement needs to be trained en masse in radiological protection and... Read More »
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center wins $9.42M cooperative agreement with IARPA to investigate radiation exposure biomarkers
Through a federal cooperative agreement with the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC) announced this week that they are working on non-invasive means of detecting and preventing radiation... Read More »
BARDA extends partnership with ASELL in development push for radiation exposure diagnostic
Radiation is a deadly force for mankind, and quick treatment can make all the difference – something the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) has firmly in mind in its latest funding partnership with ASELL. Together, the pair seek to create three tools for initial... Read More »
IARPA initiates research on ionizing radiation exposure detection
The Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) recently initiated a multi-year research endeavor targeting new low-dose ionizing radiation exposure detection methods. Through the Targeted Evaluation of Ionizing Radiation Exposure (TEI-REX) program, IARPA is pursuing new... Read More »
HHS purchases drug for radiological and nuclear health emergencies
A new deal with Amgen USA Inc., under the authority provided by the Project BioShield Act, saw the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) purchase a $290 million supply of the drug Nplate this week, for use during radiological and nuclear emergencies. Nplate is a... Read More »
New House legislation seeks modernization of federal efforts to tackle WMDs, pandemics
New legislation up for consideration in the U.S. House would revamp the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts on weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) by modernizing its Countering WMD office and formalizing and expanding its Office of Health Security. The Health Security and Countering... Read More »
Lawmakers advocate dirty bomb attack preparedness
U.S. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, is advocating Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) preparedness for a potential domestic dirty bomb attack. Thompson recently released findings from a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report,... Read More »
Bill seeks to track Iranian nuclear capabilities
U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) recently introduced legislation to monitor Iran's nuclear weapons and missile capabilities. The Iran Nuclear Weapons Capability Monitoring Act of 2022 would establish a Department of State-spearheaded task force responsible for regularly... Read More »
Senate Homeland Security committee hears of weapons of mass destruction risks, DHS security efforts
At a hearing convened by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, lawmakers heard from federal officials about the risks posed by chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological weapons, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) efforts to counter them, and the creation of... Read More »
Nuclear security amendment among provisions advanced by House’s National Defense Authorization Act
An amendment sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL) to improve nuclear security advanced out of the House last week, along with others included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). "I was proud to vote for the National Defense Authorization Act, which makes major investments to... Read More »
Smiths Detection, Kromek enter agreement for development of wearable radiation detection equipment
Threat detection and security firm Smiths Detection announced that it has entered an agreement with Kromek to deliver wearable radiation detection equipment to North and South America. “Smiths Detection is committed to deliver the best security screening solutions to our customers," Smiths... Read More »
Nuclear Threat Initiative experts among more than 50 participants of International Partnership for Disarmament Verification exercise
More than 50 participants from 19 countries gathered in Belgium last month for the first in-person meeting of the International Partnership for Disarmament Verification (IPNDV) in more than two years to tackle a tabletop exercise for verifying the transport and long-term storage of nuclear... Read More »
Republican House committee leadership promote more aggressive response to Russian nuclear threats
According to a letter from the Republican leads on three House committees, not enough is being done to deter Russia from utilizing nuclear weapons in its assault on Ukraine – and they urged President Joe Biden to be clearer and more combative in his approaches. At this point, said U.S. Reps.... Read More »
NTI gathers more than 40 multi-disciplinary scientists to address global effects of nuclear weapons
Last week, the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) gathered more than 40 scientists and researchers from various fields and nations for a hybrid virtual-and-physical conference on the potential cascading effects of a nuclear conflict. Food security, supply chain resilience, and disaster management... Read More »
NNSA, agencies detail radiological incident exercise
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is slated to join over 30 local, state, and federal agencies to conduct a major radiological incident exercise during the week of May 16-20. The Austin, Texas-centered Cobalt Magnet 22 exercise, spearheaded by the Department of Energy (DOE),... Read More »
FEMA to assess PA, MD radiological emergency preparedness
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is slated to evaluate a Biennial Radiological Emergency Preparedness Exercise, focusing on Pennsylvania and Maryland responses. The assessment specifically involved communities around the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station. The effort calls for FEMA... Read More »
Defense Department outlines progression of Project Pele initiative
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) announce plans to build a safe-by-design nuclear microreactor through the Project Pele initiative. “Thanks to the tireless work of the contract teams, the valuable input from local stakeholders, and the talented and... Read More »
Lawmakers advocate Israeli military capabilities for Iran defense
A group of lawmakers recently forwarded correspondence to President Joe Biden, advocating for the administration to provide Israel with the military capabilities needed to defend itself from Iran. U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) have joined nine Republican colleagues in... Read More »
National Nuclear Security Administration begins work on security, assessment program
Updates are on the way for the existing perimeter intrusion detection and assessment system (PIDAS) and other security features at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Tennessee, care of a $100 million endeavor from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Groundbreaking for the... Read More »
DOE National Nuclear Security Administration requests $21.4B for FY 2023 budget
In releasing President Joe Biden’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget request, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has requested $21.4 billion for 2023 to modernize, innovate and maintain its deterrence capabilities simultaneously. Weapons... Read More »
Republican lawmakers oppose Iranian Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action
A group of 49 Republican Senators recently expressed to President Joe Biden they are not in favor of the revived Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran. “According to press reports, the Biden Administration may soon conclude an agreement with Iran to provide substantial sanctions relief... Read More »
More than 160 House Republicans demand Biden administration include Congress in any future Iran nuclear agreement
More than 160 House Republicans sent a letter to the Biden administration last week, denouncing the Obama-era nuclear agreement with Iran and demanding that any future agreement make a greater role for Congressional insight and approval. "The Iranian regime brutally represses, persecutes,... Read More »
NTI paper on COVID-19 lessons notes improvements needed to properly prepare for nuclear emergencies
Lessons from one disaster can provide insights into the next and maybe even help prevent them – an idea carried forward in a new paper on COVID-19 commissioned by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) and written by retired Major Gen. Julie Bentz. In the paper, Bentz – a former major general... Read More »