global security playing cards
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Reducing Global Threats through Innovative Science and Technology
www.lanl.gov/orgs/padgs
A
A
Addr
essin
g Sp
ace
Situ
atio
nal A
war
enes
s
Space situational awareness consists of integrating and analyzing space surveil-lance, reconnaissance, intelligence, and environmental monitoring information. Such integration and analysis enables scientists to understand manmade and natural threats to the nation’s space systems. Projects include distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic events and developing an agile strategy for tracking and characterizing objects in space.
Addressing Space Situational Awareness
KK
Designed for NASA’s 2011 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover, ChemCam shoots powerful laser pulses at rocks to deter-mine their composition. The instrument combines laser-induced breakdown spec-troscopy with a remote micro-imager. The MSL rover’s primary mission is to assess if Mars ever was, or still is, an environment capable of supporting microbial life.St
udyi
ng R
ocks
on
Mar
sStudying Rocks on M
ars
Inve
nting
Sm
art S
oftw
are
to D
etec
t Gam
ma-
Ray
Burs
tsInventing Sm
art Software to Detect Gam
ma-Ray Bursts
Launched in 2004, the NASA satellite “Swift” was designed to detect gamma-ray bursts. Los Alamos scientists developed the software that enables this flying observatory to catch such bursts in the act. Scientists anticipate that Swift will be able to observe gamma-ray bursts back through time to the very first stars that formed after the Big Bang.
Los Alamos researchers developed a High-Energy Neutral Atom Imager, which was placed aboard NASA’s IBEX (Interstellar Boundary Explorer) spacecraft. IBEX has made it possible for scientists to construct the first comprehensive sky map of our solar system and its location in the Milky Way. This map is changing how research-ers study the interaction between our galaxy and the sun.
JJ
Cons
tructi
ng a
Sky
Map
of O
ur S
olar
Sys
tem
Constructing a Sky Map of Our Solar System
22
Supe
rcom
putin
g Po
wer
for S
pace
App
licat
ions
Supercomputing Pow
er for Space Applications
TeraOps Software Radio moves the concept of software radio into space, where it can be used to extend dramati-cally the lifetimes of electronic systems aboard satellites and in space payloads. Constructed from commercial off-the-shelf products, this radio performs 40 billion operations per watt of power in a compact and lightweight (14 lb) system.
33
Send
ing a
Sup
erco
mpu
ter i
nto
Spac
eSending a Supercom
puter into SpaceLaunched in 2007, the Cibola Flight Experiment was designed to test several revolutionary concepts for spaceborne computing. Cibola’s supercomputer was built from field-programmable gate arrays, chips that can be rewired at the touch of a software button. The Cibola payload system executes a science mission to study lighting, ionospheric disturbances, and other sources of radiofrequency atmospheric noise.
44
Dete
cting
Nuc
lear E
xplo
sions
from
Spa
ceDetecting Nuclear Explosions from
Space
Under the Space Nuclear Detonation Detection project, Los Alamos scientists are developing a new processing and communications architecture for instru-ments developed and deployed during the next 10 to 15 years. This breakthrough architecture will reduce instrument size, weight, and power while improving flex-ibility, capability, and scalability.
55
Stud
ying
Sat
urn
and
Beyo
ndStudying Saturn and Beyond
Los Alamos researchers developed two sensors that are part of the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer, a microwave-oven-sized unit aboard the Cassini Spacecraft. The first sensor is an ion mass spectrom-eter designed to identify the different atomic species in Saturn’s magnetospheric plasma. The second sensor is an ion-beam spectrometer designed for solar-wind research missions.
66
Answ
ering
a Ta
ntal
izing
Que
stio
nAnsw
ering a Tantalizing Question
Los Alamos scientists are developing a next-generation space radiation model to better understand radiation-belt processes resulting from natural or manmade events. The goal in developing this predictive capability is to answer one of the most tantalizing questions in space physics: What accelerates electrons to relativistic energies in the Earth’s relatively weak magnetic field?
77
Dete
cting
and
Cha
racte
rizing
Wea
pons
Fac
ilities
from
Spa
ceDetecting and Characterizing W
eapons Facilities from Space
In collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories and Savannah River Technol-ogy Center, Los Alamos developed the Multispectral Thermal Imager satellite, launched in March 2000. This project’s objective was to demonstrate advanced imaging systems that could be used to detect and characterize facilities that produce weapons of mass effect.
88
Bolst
ering
Nat
iona
l Sec
urity
thru
Glo
bal T
reat
y M
onito
ring
Bolstering National Security thru Global Treaty Monitoring
Los Alamos scientists invented the V-Sensor, a next-generation electromagnetic pulse sensor that is also known as the Burst Detector Verification payload. The V-Sensor detects atmospheric nuclear detonations from space. A follow-on to the W-Sensor, the V-Sensor will perform global treaty monitoring, a critical component of national and global security.
99
Coun
terin
g Th
reat
s fro
m S
pace
Countering Threats from Space
KARNAC (Knowledge, Assimilation, and Reasoning for National Awareness of Counterspace threats) is a project designed to improve space situational awareness by leveraging Los Alamos’ capabilities in high-performance comput-ing, modeling, simulation and knowledge tools, and underexploited sensors and information sources.
1010
Inve
nting
a N
ew Ty
pe o
f Tra
nsm
itter
Inventing a New Type of Transm
itter
Los Alamos scientists have invented a superluminal RF source that produces tightly focused packets of electromagnetic radiation that are fundamentally different from the emissions of conventional transmitters. This new type of antenna has applications in RADAR, astrophysics, oncology, directed-energy technologies, and deep-space communications.
A
A
Enab
ling
Rene
wab
le Ele
ctrici
tyEnabling Renew
able Electricity
Los Alamos scientists are developing tech-nologies that will transform how electricity is generated, distributed, consumed, and exported. This effort’s principal goal is to develop smarter strategies for load control and efficient energy storage to integrate small- or medium-scale renewable power generation into the electrical grid.
KK
Ensu
ring
a Re
silien
t Glo
bal I
nfra
stru
cture
Ensuring a Resilient Global Infrastructure
Los Alamos is using its unique and powerful computational resources to better understand global infrastructure interdependencies. The Laboratory has extensive experience in modeling multiple characteristics of infrastructure, including energy, water, telecommunications, transportation, and public health systems. Researchers examine the interdependen-cies between these systems to prevent cascading failures from harming national security.
Prep
aring
for N
atur
al D
isast
ers
Preparing for Natural Disasters
Los Alamos scientists are developing technologies to predict the effects of natural disasters. One such technology is LogiSims, a software package that helps decision makers respond to infrastructure damage, such as electrical blackouts dur-ing a hurricane. Scientists are also work-ing on computer models that simulate the effects of all hazards. Decision makers will use such models to improve response times to hazards.
JJ
Dete
cting
Rad
iatio
n So
urce
sDetecting Radiation Sources
LANL scientists are working on a Standoff Radiation Detection System (SORDS) that can determine the type and location of radiation sources at much greater distances than current technologies. Led by Raytheon, project collaborators include Los Alamos, Bubble Technology Industries, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
22
Coun
terin
g W
eapo
ns o
f Mas
s Effe
ctCountering W
eapons of Mass Effect
Los Alamos has numerous small- and large-scale explosives facilities that enable scientists to conduct various physical experiments. Such experiments help validate computer models and bolster the confidence of developers who have created countermeasures against weapons of mass effect.
33
Char
acte
rizing
Expl
osiv
esCharacterizing Explosives
Explosives such as TNT and HMX have been around for years and scientists continue to discover details about their properties. Los Alamos researchers are growing single crystals of explosives of interest and characterizing their funda-mental properties. These investigators will gain a better understanding of how explosives work and establish baseline properties critical for counterterrorism applications.
44
Using
Muo
ns a
s Det
ecto
rsUsing M
uons as Detectors
Los Alamos scientists are developing technologies that use high-energy nega-tive muons and proton beams to remotely detect special nuclear materials in contain-ers. Far more sensitive than x-rays, muon radiography can see through lead or other heavy shielding in truck trailers or cargo containers. Materials of interest include uranium and plutonium.
55
Prov
iding
Crit
ical S
uppo
rt fo
r Nuc
lear E
mer
genc
iesProviding Critical Support for Nuclear Em
ergencies
Los Alamos provides 24/7 support to first responders who submit nuclear-related data for analysis. LANL specializes in interpreting data from all types of radia-tion detectors and in accurately identifying illicit materials. Experts are typically online within 10 minutes and provide critical answers to first responders in as quickly as 30 minutes.
66
Trai
ning
Nucle
ar R
espo
nse
Team
sTraining Nuclear Response Team
s
Los Alamos provides standardized and custom training for multi-agency nuclear emergency response teams. Experts provide classroom and hands-on technical and operations training, either at LANL facilities or at the customer’s location. Fo-cus areas include nuclear basics, weapons design/engineering, weapon signatures and effects, and render-safe strategies.
77
Prot
ectin
g th
e Na
tion
from
Nuc
lear W
eapo
n Em
erge
ncies
Protecting the Nation from Nuclear W
eapon Emergencies
Los Alamos scientists, engineers, and tech-nicians serve as volunteers on the Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST). NEST is always on call as the nation’s shield against a nuclear weapons emergency. Two NEST branches are the Accident Re-sponse Group, which handles accidentally damaged U.S. nuclear weapons, and the Joint Technical Operations Team, which responds to threats of terrorist devices.
88
Iden
tifyi
ng Ty
pes a
nd Y
ields
of U
nder
grou
nd Te
sts
Identifying Types and Yields of Underground Tests
Los Alamos researchers have developed computer models of laterally varying seismic wave attenuation. These models enable monitoring agencies to identify event types and estimate the yields of underground tests. Such models are not impeded by the effects of the Earth’s heterogeneous crust and upper manta. Models are verified by high-quality digital seismic data, which is internationally available.
99
Crea
ting
an Ev
ent C
lass
ifica
tion
Mat
rixCreating an Event Classification M
atrix
The Event Classification Matrix project is a next-generation mathematical framework that integrates teleseismic and regional identification features to produce a uni-fied view. The model has been validated using teleseismic measurements. Using this framework, scientists can determine if an event is an earthquake or an explosion.
1010
Mon
itorin
g Nu
clear
Expl
osio
nsM
onitoring Nuclear Explosions
The fusion of seismic and acoustic data, seismo-acoustics is a new capability that is revolutionizing how the United States monitors nuclear explosions. Seismo-acoustics provides unique constraints for source characterization and enhances the detection and location of events. Researchers are presently exploring new solutions to monitor small explosions, identify vehicle signatures, and provide remote surveillance of facilities.
A
A
Detecting and Responding in Real Time to Cyber Attacks
Dete
cting
and
Res
pond
ing in
Rea
l Tim
e to
Cyb
er A
ttack
s
In 2003, the Slammer Worm infected 75,000 machines in less than 10 minutes. To counter such rapid attacks, Los Alamos scientists have developed a suite of technologies to detect and respond automatically to cyber attacks in real time. Technologies range from a streaming query system to an advanced framework that responds to network security events.
KK
Anal
yzing
Mal
war
eAnalyzing M
alware
Los Alamos scientists have developed a covert method to analyze malware and other executables. This method measures and analyzes executables with no detect-able impact to the executable. It monitors running programs via modifications to the Ether framework and is integrated with established reverse-engineering tools to speed analysis.
Keeping Secrets SecretQQ
Keep
ing S
ecre
ts S
ecre
t
Secrets—diplomatic, military, and business—must be exchanged secretly. To achieve this task, Los Alamos researchers have developed Free-Space Quantum Cryptography, a system that distributes random-number cryptographic “keys” used to encode and decode information. This technology ensures that such keys never succumb to computer attack and that attempts to steal or copy a key are easily foiled.
JJ
Dete
cting
Har
mfu
l Mat
eria
ls in
Seal
ed C
onta
iners
Detecting Harmful M
aterials in Sealed Containers
Los Alamos scientists have developed MagViz using ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging to classify materials as safe, unknown, or dangerous. MagViz can be used at airports to determine if a bottle holds drinking water or a liquid explosive. The technology can make such a determination even if the container is sealed in a metallic foil.
22
Grow
ing In
orga
nic F
iber
s and
Tiny
Elec
tronic
sGrow
ing Inorganic Fibers and Tiny Electronics
Laser-Weave uses lasers to grow inorganic fibers and simultaneously weave them into finished cables, fabrics, and compos-ites with improved strength and elasticity. An offshoot of Laser-Weave, Lasonix uses lasers to grow micro- and nano-scale electronics. Applications include semicon-ductors, electronic switching systems, and optical transmitters.
33
Los Alamos continues to develop tech-nologies that provide the warfighter with persistent surveillance of potential threats. For example, scientists are developing technologies designed to defeat hurtles such as darkness, camouflage, and other types of obstructions, including jungle canopies. Other technologies provide change-detection indicators for activities and high-confidence location and tracking of priority threats.Ac
hievi
ng P
ersis
tent
Sur
veilla
nce
Achieving Persistent Surveillance
44
Over
com
ing O
rgan
izatio
nal C
ompl
exity
Los Alamos scientists are developing a technology known as VCAT (Visual Cross-walk Analysis Tool), which views organiza-tions as networked activities. Looking at organizations in this way enables analyststo identify the underlying structure that connects activities spanning projects, programs, resources, and multiple organizations.
Overcoming Organizational Com
plexity
55
Dete
rmini
ng a
nd C
ount
ering
Terro
rist T
hrea
tsDeterm
ining and Countering Terrorist Threats
Los Alamos has counter-weapons of mass effect and energetic materials training programs, as well as predictive and analy-sis tools (such as terrorist motivation and intent models) to effectively assess threat probability. The Laboratory also possesses a quick-response capability that provides operators with unique communication, tagging-tracking-locating, and other tools for special missions on short notice.
66
Findi
ng N
eedl
es in
Hay
stac
ksFinding Needles in Haystacks
Genie Pro is a general-purpose, interactive, and adaptive tool that can automatically label regions and find objects in large amounts of image data. The software runs on Windows and Linux platforms. Applications include conducting manhunts and surveillance; conduct-ing broad-area searches for personnel, vehicles, and buildings; and mapping terrain and crops.
77
Coun
terin
g Im
prov
ised
Expl
osiv
e De
vice
sCountering Im
provised Explosive Devices
Los Alamos has a four-tiered approach toward countering improvised explosive devices: intelligence gathering and analysis (e.g., using computer simulations to analyze social and political instabil-ity), detection (e.g., locating unpowered electronics in explosive devices), active in-terrogation (e.g., using directed energy to penetrate urban structures and remotely stimulate explosives), and neutralizing (e.g., reversible barriers).
88
Deve
lopi
ng D
irecte
d-En
ergy
Bea
ms
Developing Directed-Energy BeamsLos Alamos is developing a variety
of directed-energy beams. For example, scientists are working on proton beams designed to accurately locate shielded nuclear materials, scalable free-electron lasers to counter dispersed threats, and high-power microwave sources designed to stop target vehicles. The Laboratory is also developing millimeter-wave radiation technologies to interrogate shielded and camouflaged enclosures.
99
Deve
lopi
ng Tr
ainin
g an
d Ef
fecti
ve C
onfli
ct St
rate
gies
Developing Training and Effective Conflict Strategies
Los Alamos is developing numerous training tools in proficiency and conflict strategies to enhance the skills of Ameri-can warfighters. Examples of such tools include developing preventative strategies and success-ensuring responses, modeling current and future battlefields to better understand critical decision points, and developing realistic training packages to better prepare the warfighter.
1010
Unde
rsta
nding
the
Effe
cts o
f Nuc
lear W
eapo
nsUnderstanding the Effects of Nuclear W
eapons
Los Alamos continues to conduct research on determining the many effects of nuclear weapons on various structures and environments. Research includes determining the dynamic response of high-rise buildings to over-pressures, calculating blast effects and channeling in urban canyons, and determining how modern microcircuits respond to neutrons, gamma, and x-rays.
A
A
Secu
ring
Nucle
ar M
ater
ials
Securing Nuclear Materials
Under the MPC&A (Materials Protection, Control, and Accounting) Program, Los Alamos staff members work with other countries to secure nuclear weapons-usable materials. Staff members helped complete all major upgrades identified by Presidents Bush and Putin under the Bratislava Agreement by leading com- prehensive upgrades to six plant sites at Tomsk and two sites at Mayak.
KK
Los Alamos works directly with the U.S. Department of State to assist the Interna-tional Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Staff members have trained all IAEA safeguard inspectors, provided experts to support IAEA projects in Vienna, and developed new safeguards and nuclear-detection technologies. Acknowledged as a world leader in nondestructive assay, Los Alamos has trained more than 5,300 individuals.Im
prov
ing In
tern
atio
nal N
uclea
r Ins
pecti
ons
Improving International Nuclear Inspections
Secu
ring
Inte
rnat
iona
l Bor
ders
Securing International Borders
Los Alamos works with other countries under the Second Line of Defense (SLD) Program to prevent the illicit trafficking of nuclear and radiological materials by securing international borders, seaports, and airports. SLD core staff work with 20 countries. SLD Megaports staff from Los Alamos have installed and maintained detection systems in 48 of the world’s largest ports.
JJ
Conv
ertin
g Nu
clear
Wea
pons
to N
uclea
r Pow
erConverting Nuclear W
eapons to Nuclear Power
Under the 1993 U.S.-Russian Federation Highly-Enriched Uranium (HEU) Purchase Agreement, Russia agreed to downblend 500 metric tons of HEU extracted from dismantled nuclear weapons for use as power reactor fuel in the United States. Los Alamos scientists developed and main-tain an enrichment monitor that oversees each step of Russia’s HEU to low-enriched uranium to minimize any risk of possible diversion.
22
Deve
lopi
ng In
stru
men
ts fo
r Int
erna
tiona
l Saf
egua
rds
Developing Instruments for International Safeguards
The concept of international safeguards dates from Dwight Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace” speech to the United Nations in 1953. Since then, the Laboratory has developed various technologies and meth-ods to help ensure that nuclear materials are not used improperly. Efforts include developing prototype instruments in more than 30 counties, next-generation treaty-verification instruments, and safeguards for large-throughput fuel-reprocessing plants.
33
Prov
iding
Trea
ty S
uppo
rtProviding Treaty Support
Los Alamos has provided technical advisers for every U.S. nuclear treaty. In the coming months, the U.S. government will turn to Los Alamos experts for help as it negotiates a new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia, considers U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty, pursues a Fissile Material Cutoff Treaty, and participates in the next Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review Conference.
44
Reco
verin
g Of
fsite
Sou
rces
Recovering Offsite Sources
During the 1950s and 1960s, tens of thousands of radioactive sources were distributed to educational, government, and industrial users. Los Alamos operates a program that securely recovers high-risk sealed sources that are declared excess and unwanted by domestic licensees. In the past decade, Los Alamos staff mem-bers have safely recovered and disposed of more than 20,000 domestic sources.
55
Deve
lopi
ng N
ext-G
ener
atio
n Nu
clear
Det
ecto
rsDeveloping Next-Generation Nuclear DetectorsLos Alamos scientists are investigating
new scintillator materials to develop next-generation nuclear detectors. New materi-als that exhibit better energy resolution, operate at ambient temperatures, and can be cast into a variety of shapes and sizes would dramatically advance radiation detection and imaging.
66
Dete
cting
Wea
poniz
ed U
raniu
m M
etal
sDetecting W
eaponized Uranium M
etals
Los Alamos scientists are developing meth-ods to detect impurity-driven signatures in uranium metal. Such methods can help diagnose and respond to weaponization processes, such as melting, rolling, and heat treatment. The effectiveness of detecting various impurities will support efforts in nonproliferation, safeguards, and counter-proliferation.
77
Stre
ngth
ening
the
Futu
re o
f Nuc
lear S
afeg
uard
sStrengthening the Future of Nuclear Safeguards
Sponsored by the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Next Genera-tion Safeguards Initiative promotes the strengthening of nuclear safeguards worldwide through extensive training. To achieve this goal, Los Alamos is working with other partners to develop model curricula, lecture materials, and laboratory exercises available to U.S. and international universities.
88
Mo-
99 M
edica
l Iso
tope
Pro
ducti
onM
o-99 Medical Isotope Production
Los Alamos has operated solution reactors since the 1940s. Los Alamos recently completed an upgrade of four critical assembly machines for the Criticality Ex-periments Facility at the Nevada Test Site. Given such expertise, Los Alamos Mo-99 medical isotope production is assisting NNSA to implement new technology for Mo-99 medical isotope production.
99
RIIDs (Radiation Isotope Identification Devices) have difficulty identifying radioisotopes accurately. As a result, it often falls on human spectroscopists to interpret results from RIID gamma spectra. To improve RIID accuracy, Los Alamos scientists are developing a new automated algorithm that mimics a human spectroscopist’s approach in analyzing and identifying radioisotopes in a given gamma spectrum.De
velo
ping
Accu
rate
Met
hods
to Id
entif
y Ra
dioi
soto
pes
Developing Accurate Methods to Identify Radioisotopes
1010
Scientists at Los Alamos have found that cathodoluminescence, coupled with electron microscopy, can provide rapid visual and quantitative characterization of environmentally exposed uranium fluorides. This geology-based technique is independent of uranium isotopic composition. Scientists postulate that this technique may be useful for detect-ing uranium-ore-conversion activities upstream of enrichment.De
tecti
ng U
raniu
m-C
onve
rsio
n Ac
tiviti
esDetecting Uranium
-Conversion Activities
Joker
Joker
“Los Alamos has the people, tools, and facilities to give national-level policymak-ers the necessary deep technical insight into an uncertain future for which they must prepare. LANL also has a reputation for delivering the technology necessary to respond effectively to significant threats of broad scope.”W
illiam
S. R
ees,
Jr., P
ADGS
William
S. Rees, Jr., PADGS
Solve other emerging national security challenges
U.S. Nuclear
Deterrent
Nonp
rolife
ratio
n, Cyb
er Syste
ms, Space Systems, Intelligence-AIE, Warfi ghter Support
LANL Global Security Focus AreasLA
NL G
loba
l Sec
urity
Foc
us A
reas
Nuclear NonproliferationCyber SystemsSpace Systems
Intelligence Analysis, Integration, and ExploitationWarfighter Support
Countering Terrorist TacticsCountering Weapons of Mass Effect
Event ResponseResilient Global Infrastructure
National Security Missions
Natio
nal S
ecur
ity M
issio
ns
National Nuclear Security Administration
Strengthen national security through the military application of nuclear energy and by reducing the
global threat from terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Develop and apply science and technology to—Ensure the safety, security and reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent • Reduce global threats • Solve
other emerging national security challenges
Global Security
To provide early identification, creative maturation and timely delivery of scientifically robust solutions to the most urgent and technically challenging security
issues facing our Nation.
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