NUCLEAR DETECTION: Domestic Nuclear Detection Office Should Improve Planning to Better Address Gaps and Vulnerabilities

Abstract

In April 2005, the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) was established within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enhance and coordinate federal, state, and local efforts to combat nuclear smuggling domestically and overseas. DNDO was directed to develop, in coordination with the departments of Defense (DOD), Energy (DOE), and State (State), a global strategy for nuclear detection--a system of radiation detection equipment and interdiction activities domestically and abroad. GAO was asked to examine (1) DNDO's progress in developing programs to address critical gaps in preventing nuclear smuggling domestically, (2) DNDO's role in supporting other agencies' efforts to combat nuclear smuggling overseas, and (3) the amount budgeted by DHS, DOD, DOE, and State for programs that constitute the global nuclear detection strategy. To do so, GAO analyzed agency documents; interviewed agency, state, and local officials; and visited select pilot program locations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 29, 2009
Accession Number
AD1156407

Entities

People

  • David Maurer

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Coast Guard
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Detection
  • Governments
  • Homeland Security
  • Law Enforcement
  • Law Enforcement Officers
  • Lessons Learned
  • National Security
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Puget Sound
  • Radioactive Materials
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Methods
  • United States
  • Urban Areas

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Government Contracting/Procurement.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.