Timely Options for Increased Transparency and Nonintrusive Verification on Fresh Highly Enriched Uranium Naval Fuel

Fresh highly enriched uranium naval fuel constitutes a significant part of global HEU stocks. However, no bilateral or multilateral verification or transparency measures have been envisioned on these sensitive and proliferation-attractive fuel cycles. This might be detrimental to sound nonproliferation and disarmament practices. This article argues in favor of increased transparency on unirradiated naval fuel and discusses a range of technical options for nonintrusive verification. A set of fairly simple and technically available verification measures that do not compromise national security needs and legislation exists. If implemented, these measures could raise confidence in nondiversion of naval fuel for weapon purposes, and could help establish an international transparency norm for fresh naval fuel cycles.