NNSA activities address the urgent need to reduce and eliminate excess or vulnerable nuclear and radiological materials across the globe.

Since the end of the Cold War significant quantities of plutonium and highly enriched uranium have become surplus to the defense needs of both the United States and Russia. If acquired by terrorists or rogue nations, these materials could be made into crude weapons for use against the United States or other nations.

NNSA plays a central role in the U.S. government's efforts to address the danger from this material and is responsible for activities relating to the removal and disposal of fissile materials (highly enriched uranium and plutonium).