Secure Transportation
NNSA safely and securely transports nuclear weapons, weapons components, and special nuclear material (SNM) to meet projected NNSA, Department of Defense, and other customer requirements. These shipments are highly guarded for the utmost protection of the public and U.S. national security.
The work requirements for secure transportation continue to escalate to support the dismantlement and maintenance schedule for the nuclear weapons stockpile and the consolidation of the storage of nuclear material. The challenge to increase the capacity of the program is coupled with and impacted by national security concerns and the threat environment. Uncertain threat environments necessitate the need of force multiplier technologies and operational enhancements for intelligence gathering and front-end reconnaissance.
The federal agents who do this work are trained to defend, recapture, and recover nuclear materials in case of an attack. Because of the highly skilled agents, NNSA was able to safely and securely complete 100 percent of its shipments without the compromise or loss of any nuclear weapons and components or a release of radioactive material. The agents are world-renowned, and have even worked with some countries on their efforts to safely and securely transport international and regional shipments.
Operations Center
The Office of Secure Transporation Operations Center is a nationwide communications system operated by NNSA and located in Albuquerque, N.M. This system monitors the status and location and maintains real-time communications 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, with every convoy.
The Operations Center also maintains an emergency contact directory of federal and state response organizations located throughout the contiguous United States.
Safety
NNSA makes every effort to ensure its convoys do not travel during inclement weather. Should the convoys encounter adverse weather, provisions exist for the convoys to seek secure shelter at previously identified facilities.
Although NNSA provides sleeper berths in all vehicles, special agents accompanying shipments do not exceed 32 hours of continuous travel without being afforded the opportunity for 8 hours of uninterrupted, stationary bed rest.
NNSA has also imposed a maximum 65-mile-per-hour speed limit on its convoys, even if the posted limit greater.
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