Project Details
NSPD-43/HSPD-14 and the Safe Port Act of 2006 charge the United States Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) with assisting in the development and implementation of the Global Nuclear Detection Architecture (GNDA). The GNDA is a framework for detecting (through technical and non-technical means), analyzing, and reporting on nuclear and other radioactive materials that are out of regulatory control. To that end, DNDO acquires and supports the deployment of systems to detect and report attempts to import or transport illicit radiological materials, nuclear weapons, or nuclear materials.
As part of this mission, there is a requirement to evaluate current capabilities in the field of radiological/nuclear (R/N) detection in order to define the best approach to meet DNDO goals and objectives to further develop the global and domestic radiological and nuclear detection architecture. These ongoing studies analyze vulnerability and provide possible modifications to the architecture to reduce risk in land, air, and maritime pathways. The DNDO Architecture and Plans Directorate (APD) leads the effort to enhance the GNDA by analyzing current detection technologies, identifying gaps and solutions, and investigating new areas for further efforts in coordination with United States Government and other partners.
To contribute further to the development of the GNDA, (START), in consultation with APD, has identified three requirements: 1) assessing the current domestic preventive radiological/nuclear detection (PRND) capabilities and desired PRND capabilities through continued development of the Capability Development Framework (CDF); 2) further development of the Transnational Illicit Trafficking (TransIT) Geospatial Tool; and 3) development of the Global Points of Entry database.