Examination of the proposed conversion of the U.S. Navy nuclear fleet from highly enriched Uranium to low enriched Uranium

Abstract

.The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons creates a loophole that allows a non-nuclear-weapon country to avoid international safeguards governing fissile materials if it claims that the materials will be used for naval nuclear propulsion purposes. The United States ability to negotiate a closing of this loophole is hampered by the fact that its entire nuclear fleet is powered by highly enriched uranium (HEU). In 1995, the U.S. Navy issued a report indicating that converting the nuclear reactors on its submarines and carriers from the use of HEU to the use of low enriched uranium (LEU) would create numerous problems. However, since that time significant technological advances in LEU fuel systems and naval propulsion strongly indicate that the issue of LEU conversion should be re-examined. This paper suggests that a high-level independent commission should be appointed and directed to thoroughly study the pros and cons of LEU conversion and to make recommendations to decision makers regarding what path should be followed.