Vayl Oxford, Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), Department of Homeland Security

DomesticPreparedness met with Vayl Oxford, Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), Department of Homeland Security to discuss his views on the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs, the DNDO partnerships with state and local agencies, and a broad spectrum of forward-looking R&D programs and initiatives. The continuing threat of nuclear or radiological terrorism in the light of this year’s crises over the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs. An overview of DNDO program deployments, research and development (R&D) efforts, and partnerships at the state and local levels. Status reports on, among other programs and initiatives: the Advanced Spectroscopic Portal (ASP); the Cargo Advanced Automated Radiography System (CAARS); the Dulles radiation-detection pilot for air cargo upon arrival; handheld and backpack radiation-detection devices for Coast Guard use in maritime interdiction; the Southeast Transportation Corridor Pilot program to deploy radiation detectors to truck-weighing stations; and the Securing the Cities initiative for analytically based detection architectures. Also, DNDO support for state- and local-level training. The three pillars of transformational R&D: the Exploratory Research Program, the Academic Research Program, and Advanced Technology Demonstrations (ATDs). DNDO’s first ATD, the Intelligent Personnel Radiation Locator. The Stand-off Detection ATD. The active strategic nuclear materials (SNM) verification ATD, and the long-dwell detection-in-transit ATD. DNDO incorporation of the Megaports program and the Container Security Initiative (CSI) into development of the international segment of DNDO’s global detection architecture. DNDO’s Joint Analysis Center and its partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) for timely and uniform information sharing.  DNDO’s Integrated Container Inspection System (ICIS) and the linkage with the pilot project at the Hong Kong Modern Terminal. The First Year of DNDOSpecific ProgramsDNDO’s “Transformational Research and Development”Overseas Deployment of Detection Technology