The Y-12 National Security Complex in Tennessee is disassembling retired U.S. nuclear-weapon parts at its fastest rate in close to three decades, exceeding dismantlement goals by a wide margin in the past two fiscal years, the Oak Ridger reported yesterday (see GSN, May 13).
The site disassembled equipment used in three nuclear weapons systems in fiscal 2009, eclipsing that year's projected number of dismantled weapon components, according to a press release. Upgrades and alterations helped streamline the disassembly process.
"Y-12 continues to dismantle nuclear weapons in a safe and efficient manner -- ensuring they can no longer be used. These efforts are consistent with the [National Nuclear Security Administration]'s commitment to reducing the stockpile while maintaining a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent," said Ted Sherry, the Y-12 site's federal site manager.
Before dismantlement efforts begin for a weapon type, the nation's nuclear laboratories analyze the weapon's design to spot and address risks that could emerge in the disassembly process.
Decommissioned nuclear weapons are first shipped to the Pantex Plant in Texas, which securely stores their plutonium "pits" and separates explosive triggers from additional nuclear material. Uranium components are isolated and placed in storage at Y-12.
Some of the nuclear materials are set at a later date to be blended down into mixed-oxide fuel for nuclear power plants (see GSN, Nov. 5). Non-nuclear parts are transferred to the Savannah River Site in South Carolina and the Kansas City Plant in Missouri for disposal.
The United States has decommissioned and disposed of 19 varieties of nuclear weapons since 1992. The country is projected in 2012 to possess fewer nuclear bombs than it has held since the Eisenhower administration (Oak Ridger, Dec. 10).