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Dirty Bombs and Primitive Nuclear Weapons

Dr. Frank Barnaby, June 2005

Both Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush have warned us that nuclear terrorism is a, if not the, major threat facing the international community today. A number of other analysts and commentators have recently issued similar warnings.

One of the main concerns is that terrorists will acquire radioactive material and then use conventional explosives to spread it far and wide. Such a device is called a radiological dispersal device or a 'dirty bomb'. Another concern is that terrorists will get hold of fissile material, fabricate a primitive nuclear weapon and explode it.

The public has the right to know the risks they face from nuclear terrorism and the consequences of a terrorist attack. Against this backdrop, Dr. Frank Barnaby's paper provides information about the dirty bomb, the simplest and, therefore, the most likely weapon to be used by terrorists. Also described is a primitive nuclear explosive that could be constructed by a terrorist group. Some international safeguard measures to counter nuclear terrorism are then discussed.

This paper portrays the real danger that faces us today, underlining the need to develop effective peaceful ways to counter the threat of nuclear terrorism and promote global security.

Contents

Executive Summary
Introduction
I. The terrorist use of a dirty bomb
II. Could terrorists make a nuclear weapon?
III. Reducing the risk of the terrorist use of dirty bombs and primitive nuclear weapons
Appendix I. The construction of a primitive nuclear weapon
Appendix II. Effects of a 100-tonne nuclear device exploded in a city