Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is deeply involved
in activities aimed at reducing the threats posed by the proliferation of nuclear
weapons and other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) to rogue nations or terrorist
groups. These research and development efforts became much more urgent with
the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. The collapse created a
grave threat of proliferation, with hundreds of weapons and thousands of pounds
of weapons-usable materials potentially at risk for theft or diversion.
The terrorist attacks in September 2001 transformed the possibility of terrorism
against this country into reality. Analysis tools and technologies developed
at Livermore found immediate application in the war on terrorism.
The Laboratory draws on 50 years of experience in all aspects of nuclear weapons to address the challenge of nuclear nonproliferation. It leverages its extensive resources in biology, chemistry, engineering, and computations to tackle the problem of chemical and biological weapons proliferation. Laboratory researchers work closely with the intelligence, law enforcement, emergency response, and public health communities to provide technologies, analytical products, and operational capabilities that meet users' needs and function in real-world settings.
LLNL-developed, handheld biological agent and radiation
detectors
A hallmark of Livermore’s threat reduction work is its integrated approach to the complex and interconnected problems of WMD proliferation and terrorism. It addresses the full spectrum of threats—from preventing proliferation at its source, to detecting and reversing proliferant activities, to responding to the threatened or actual use of such weapons, to avoiding surprise regarding the WMD capabilities and intentions of others. Research and development projects and operational capabilities (such as the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Center at the Laboratory) are supported by NNSA, the Department of Homeland Security, and other sponsors.
Because the materials required for nuclear weapons do not occur naturally, the best way to prevent nuclear proliferation or terrorism is to protect and control nuclear materials at the source. Major efforts are under way in Russia to secure or dispose of at-risk nuclear and radioactive materials. The starting materials for chemical and biological weapons, however, are ubiquitous and have many legitimate uses. Threat-reduction efforts must focus on identifying activities indicative of producing or acquiring chemical or biological weapons and on rapid detection, response, and recovery in the event of a terrorist chemical or biological attack. Still other activities are directed at understanding foreign weapons programs and developing advanced technologies for use by the U.S. intelligence and defense communities.