Since the end of the Cold War, significant quantities of plutonium and highly enriched uranium (HEU) have become surplus to defense needs both in the United States and Russia. If acquired by terrorists or rogue states, these materials could be made into nuclear weapons for use against the United States or other nations. The National Academy of Sciences called this threat a “clear and present danger” to national and international security.

The Office of Fissile Materials Disposition plays a key role in the U.S. government's efforts to address the danger from weapons of mass destruction. The office is responsible for all activities relating to the disposition of HEU and plutonium which are excess to U.S. national security needs.

Mission

Reduce inventories of surplus fissile materials in a safe, secure, and irreversible manner.

Programs:

Surplus U.S. Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU) Disposition

Disposing of surplus U.S. HEU, primarily by down blending it to low enriched uranium (LEU) for peaceful use as commercial nuclear reactor fuel.

Plutonium Disposition

Disposing of at least 34 metric tons of surplus U.S. weapons-grade plutonium by irradiating it as mixed oxide fuel in domestic commercial nuclear reactors.
Providing assistance for Russia’s efforts to dispose of 34 metric tons of its surplus weapons-grade plutonium.