Fact Sheet: U.S. Participation in ITRAP+10

U.S. Participation in the Illicit Trafficking Radiation Program

The United States and the European Union understand the importance of nuclear security and embrace the shared international responsibility to develop, promote and enhance systems and measures to detect and respond to nuclear and other radioactive materials out of regulatory control.    The international partnership created to evaluate commercially available detection technologies was initiated through the Illicit Trafficking Radiation Program (ITRAP+10).  This joint test campaign between European Union and the United States has tested 79 models of radiation detection technologies from 26 world-wide manufacturers.  The ITRAP+10 report provides international stakeholders a robust assessment of technologies to assist resource planning in the deployment of more effective detection countermeasures.  Release of this report supports international efforts to combat the illicit trafficking of nuclear and other radioactive materials out of regulatory control.  

Enhancing capabilities to detect nuclear and other radioactive materials out of regulatory control, both at borders and within States, is integral to bolstering global defenses against nuclear terrorism. In addition to this technical assessment,   the results of this joint test effort are expected to encourage industry to push technological advances, which will ideally result in better detection capabilities.

The ITRAP+10 report underscores the commitment of the United States and the European Union to support efforts to combat nuclear terrorism. Test results support evolving requirements and test methods for radiation detection instruments, guide industry towards product improvement, and promote better understanding of performance and limitations of current technologies.