Nonproliferation Technology
A key function of the Nonproliferation Technology Group (NT) is to
provide technical support for national and international export control
organizations with an emphasis in nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons
and missile applications. Additionally, technical support is provided in
areas associated with bi-lateral and multi-lateral agreements and treaties,
and increasingly, in the area of border control.
Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) Transparency
Implementation
ORNL has been heavily involved in providing technical support to the NA-241
HEU Transparency Implementation Program Office since the signing of the
U.S.-Russian Federation HEU Purchase Agreement in 1993. Over a 20-year
period, the Russian Federation is required to provide low enriched uranium
originated from destruction of dismantled nuclear weapons that is then
purchased by electrical utilities as fuel for electric generating nuclear
reactors. ORNL has provided a number of on-the-ground experts to monitor
these activities in Russia as well as serving as the primary training base
for other U.S. experts from throughout the DOE Complex. Working with Los
Alamos ORNL has also developed a monitoring system that continuously
monitors the down blending of HEU to low enriched uranium.
International Export Control
ORNL export control specialists support the Office of Global Security
Engagement and Cooperation in developing training and reference materials
and in presenting training programs to government officials in the United
States as well as in over 40 different countries around the world. This
activity is part of the International Nonproliferation Export Control
Program (INECP) under the auspices of NA-242 and encompasses their
programmatic mission to offer technical support and training to governments
who are attempting to improve their export control programs. Training
initiatives include teaching Customs and Border Protection officers to
recognize export controlled components that could be used in the nuclear
fuel cycle, nuclear weapons production, chemical and biological weapons, and
in missile delivery systems. Export control specialists and licensing
officials are also trained in the basics of export controls, tailored
internal compliance programs, categorization of controlled items, and in
assessing diversion and proliferation risks for exporting controlled items.
Domestic Export Control
The Domestic Export Control Team provides technical support for the following areas of interest: Export Control License Reviews, Multilateral Export Control Regime Support, Interdiction/ Enforcement Support and Training and Multilateral Arms Control Support for DOE-NNSA and other USG agencies. The major sponsor for the team's activities is NNSA’s Office of International Regimes and Agreements (NA-243). The Team also provides technical support to various contractors and subcontractors throughout the DOE-NNSA complex and is recognized as subject matter experts in the following areas:
- Technical support in nuclear arms reduction and limiting proliferation of nuclear weapons;
- Technical support to US domestic nuclear export control agencies;
- Treaty verification systems design, development and demonstration;
- Security of US nuclear technology assets and DOE High-Risk property;
- Border security enhancements for export control of nuclear and related materials and technologies;
- Technical support and training for DHS/Customs Border Protection/ Immigration Customs Enforcement/ Federal Bureau of Investigation/ Department of Defense; and
- International technical support to multilateral export control regimes.
John Begovich
Nonproliferation Technology
Global Nuclear Security Technology Division
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
P.O. Box 2008, MS6281
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6281