To require a report on the feasibility of developing and deploying a nuclear debris collection and analysis capability to permit the characterization of detonated nuclear devices.

1. Adds Sec. 8124. (a) Findings.--The Senate makes the following findings: after section 8123

   Adds a section

   Inserted: Sec. 8124. (a) Findings.--The Senate makes the following findings:

   Inserted: (1) If a terrorist group were to acquire the necessary fissile material for a nuclear explosive device, it would not be difficult for the group to construct such a device, the explosion of which could kill and injure thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of people and destroy a large area of a city.

   Inserted: (2) If a terrorist group were to acquire a complete nuclear weapon from a nation which has constructed nuclear weapons, it is likely that the group would be able to detonate the device with similar results.

   Inserted: (3) A nation supplying either complete nuclear weapons or special nuclear material to terrorists might believe that it could escape retaliation by the United States, as the United States would not be able to determine the origin of either a weapon or its fissile material.

   Inserted: (4) It is possible, however, to determine the country of origin of fissile material after a nuclear explosion, provided that samples of the radioactive debris from the explosion are collected promptly and analyzed in appropriate laboratories.

   Inserted: (5) If radioactive debris is collected soon enough after a nuclear explosion, it is also possible to determine the characteristics of the nuclear explosive device involved, which information can assist in locating and dismantling other nuclear devices that may threaten the United States.

   Inserted: (6) If countries that might contemplate supplying nuclear weapons or fissile material to terrorists know that their assistance can be traced, they are much less likely to allow terrorists access to either weapons or material.

   Inserted: (7) It is in the interest of the United States to acquire a capability to collect promptly the debris from a nuclear explosion that might occur in any part of the Nation.

   Inserted: (b) Sense of the Senate on Nuclear Debris Collection and Analysis Capability.--It is the sense of the Senate that--

   Inserted: (1) the Secretary of Defense should develop and deploy a nuclear debris collection and analysis capability sufficient to enable characterization of any nuclear device that might be exploded in the United States;

   Inserted: (2) the capability should incorporate airborne debris collectors, either permanently installed on dedicated aircraft or available for immediate use on a class of aircraft, stationed so that a properly equipped and manned aircraft is available to collect debris from a nuclear explosion anywhere in the United States and transport such debris to an appropriate laboratory in a timely fashion; and

   Inserted: (3) to the maximum extent practicable, the capability should be compatible with collection and analysis systems used by the United States to characterize overseas nuclear explosions.

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   Inserted: (c) Report.--Not later than March 31, 2004, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the feasibility of developing and deploying the capability described in subsection (b)(1).

   Original wording

   Insert after section 8123 the following:

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As printed