Government agencies conduct successful test of new nuclear forensics technology

The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) of the Department of Homeland Security has completed a successful demonstration of a new nuclear forensics program designed to better identify perpetrators of nuclear attacks.

The demonstration was led by the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), working alongside the DNDO, the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The demonstration tested the DTRA’s nuclear prototype system called Discreet Oculus. The test was dubbed Mighty Saber 2015.

Discreet Oculus is the result of major research and development efforts aimed at designing and deploying nuclear forensics technology. It operates as a ground-based system of seismic, acoustic, air pressure, radiation, light and radio frequency wave sensors that detect signals from an urban nuclear weapon detonation.

The signals would be documented and the information would then be combined with other nuclear forensics data to help determine the characteristics of the purported weapon. The results could then be shared with law enforcement partners and intelligence agencies.

“This technology will complement existing nuclear forensics capabilities that center on the collection and analysis of debris and air samples in the immediate aftermath of a nuclear detonation within the U.S., in addition to existing ground- and space-based nuclear detonation detection systems,” said Huban Gowadia, director of DHS’ Domestic Nuclear Detection Office.