A System for Communication with Commercial Special Nuclear Material Shipments

The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) has recently implemented tighter security regulations governing special nuclear materials in transit. An objective of a continuous capability for communication with vehicles while en route is not attainable with the services now commercially available. Sandia Laboratories, a prime contractor to the AEC, is developing a system of wide-area communications tailored to the security needs of the carriers of nuclear materials. The system concept and the present status of development have been described.