DomesticPreparedness met with Vayl Oxford, Director, Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO), Department of Homeland Security to discuss his views on the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs, the DNDO partnerships with state and local agencies, and a broad spectrum of forward-looking R&D programs and initiatives.
The First Year of DNDO
The continuing threat of nuclear or radiological terrorism in the light of this year’s crises over the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs. An overview of DNDO program deployments, research and development (R&D) efforts, and partnerships at the state and local levels.
Specific Programs
Status reports on, among other programs and initiatives: the Advanced Spectroscopic Portal (ASP); the Cargo Advanced Automated Radiography System (CAARS); the Dulles radiation-detection pilot for air cargo upon arrival; handheld and backpack radiation-detection devices for Coast Guard use in maritime interdiction; the Southeast Transportation Corridor Pilot program to deploy radiation detectors to truck-weighing stations; and the Securing the Cities initiative for analytically based detection architectures. Also, DNDO support for state- and local-level training.
DNDO’s “Transformational Research and Development”
The three pillars of transformational R&D: the Exploratory Research Program, the Academic Research Program, and Advanced Technology Demonstrations (ATDs). DNDO’s first ATD, the Intelligent Personnel Radiation Locator. The Stand-off Detection ATD. The active strategic nuclear materials (SNM) verification ATD, and the long-dwell detection-in-transit ATD.
Overseas Deployment of Detection Technology
DNDO incorporation of the Megaports program and the Container Security Initiative (CSI) into development of the international segment of DNDO’s global detection architecture. DNDO’s Joint Analysis Center and its partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) for timely and uniform information sharing. DNDO’s Integrated Container Inspection System (ICIS) and the linkage with the pilot project at the Hong Kong Modern Terminal.
Listen on
Vayl Oxford
Mr. Vayl Oxford was appointed Director of the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) in September 2005, reporting to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with responsibility for the establishment of a jointly staffed office and directing all of its activities. Prior to his appointment to DHS, Mr. Oxford served as the Director for Counterproliferation (CP) in the White House's National Security Council (NSC). Before his assignment to the White House, Mr. Oxford was the Deputy Director for Technology Development at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). From 1993 to 1998, Mr. Oxford served at the Defense Nuclear Agency before his position as Director for Counterproliferation at the Defense Special Weapons Agency. During his United States Air force tenure, Mr. Oxford held several aircraft and weapons development positions, and analyzed war plans in Europe and the Pacific. He also served as an Assistant Professor of Aeronautics at the United States Air Force Academy from 1982 to 1986. Mr. Oxford is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and the Air Force Institute of Technology, and the recipient of numerous military awards. He received the Department of Defense (DOD) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) Technical Manager of the Year Award in 1997. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 1997 and received the Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award in 2002.
