Audit Report: IG-0632

December 16, 2003

Modernization of Tritium Requirements Systems

The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Secuirty Administration (NNSA) maintains the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile, of which tritium is a vital component. The tritium in certain weapon components must be periodically replaced due to decay. Since halting production in 1988, the Department has met its tritium requirements through a recycling process a tthe Savannah River Site. Hoewever, plans are in place to have newly produced tritium ready for use as early as Fiscal Year 2007. To establish an optimal production schedule, an accurate projection of the amount of tritium required is necessary.