Department of Energy FY 2012 Congressional ... - The FIRE Place

• Tritium Readiness: Continues to model the design of the Tritium Producing Burnable Absorber
Rods (TPBARs) for comparison against experimental data gathered during the initial irradiation
cycles in order to understand the permeation performance of the TPBARs.
Readiness in Technical Base and Facilities (RTBF)
The RTBF Program supports a broad base of activities that enable the laboratory to meet its mission and
obligations to the NNSA and the nation. The activities are derived from the staffing and operation of a
number of critical Nuclear Weapons Program capabilities and facilities, operation of test capabilities and
test ranges, supporting development work and studies in weapons materials, waste management,
education, and high energy density physics readiness. The SNL RTBF projects range from the staffing
and operation of complex experimental capabilities (e.g., Tech Area V reactors, Tonopah Test Range,
and Environmental Test Facilities) to production and support capabilities (e.g. Microelectronics
Development Laboratory, Neutron Generator equipment maintenance, and the Primary Standards
Laboratory). Sandia provides the primary standards capabilities for the nuclear security enterprise. Also
critical within the RTBF program are efforts to develop programs to maintain key nuclear weapons
critical skills and develop the critical capabilities for the next generation of program needs.
Secure Transportation Asset (STA)
The SNL provides design, research, and engineering expertise on transportation safeguards systems.
SNL supports the safety and security of STA’s transport missions by providing expertise on the
research, design, engineering, testing, and analysis of the vehicle and trailer fleet, transportation
information systems, all nuclear weapon and material cargo tie-down systems, and the technology and
methods employed for the safety and security of nuclear cargo. The SNL conducts safety and security
studies and analyzes the risks involving nuclear weapons transportation, along with maintaining the STA
safety and security authorization basis. The SNL also staffs, equips, and operates a Vehicle
Maintenance Facility which provides mechanical and electrical services to Escort Vehicles, Armored
Tractors, and Safeguard Transporters.
Nuclear Counterterrorism Incident Response
The SNL assists NCTIR in operating, exercising, and maintaining DOE’s capability to provide
assistance to federal, state and local government agencies for responding to radiological accidents and
incidents. The SNL deploys trained, qualified technical and professional personnel and specialized
equipment and provides research and development, training, exercises, operations, maintenance and
required coordination with other federal agencies and foreign governments to effectively address current
and projected threats. The SNL is an active participant in the NNSA Nuclear Emergency Support Team
(NEST), which can respond to any type of emergency involving radioactive or nuclear materials in the
U.S. or abroad. The SNL also supports the National Technical Nuclear Forensics (NTNF) and
Stabilization Operations programs, which will continue through the planning period. Other SNL
activities include the conduct of operations and technical integration in support of the Joint Technical
Operations Team (JTOT), Accident Response Group (ARG), and Home Team (HT) in the form of
technical support, research and development, intelligence support, field operations, and training and
exercises. In addition, SNL provides research and support to the Office of Emergency Operations with
unique expertise in matters of nuclear counterterrorism.
Sandia National Laboratories Page 525
FY 2012 Congressional Budget