Monitoring and Verification Enterprise for Rapid Integration of Concepts (MAVERIC)
When developing, testing, and evaluating technology prototypes intended for use in nuclear weapons storage, staging, maintenance, or dismantlement environments, the testing conditions must be more realistic than a laboratory benchtop but less restrictive than those of an operational nuclear weapon facility.
To meet this need, Sandia National Laboratories developed the Monitoring and Verification Enterprise for Rapid Integration of Concepts (MAVERIC) facility, an integrated laboratory and test bed compound that provides unique, scalable capabilities that enable researchers to rapidly develop, verify, and validate prototype monitoring and verification systems in a realistic environment.
Key Areas of Research
- Explore Approaches to Ensure Continuity of Knowledge. Effective verification requires assurance that the status and integrity of accountable items, facilities, or monitoring equipment are maintained over time. Continuous monitoring and documentation are essential to ensure that any changes are accurately recorded, thereby preserving the integrity of the verification process and maintaining confidence in the monitoring system.
- Evaluate Technical Measures for End-to-End Monitoring. MAVERIC facilities enable the development of various technical measures that ensure accountable items can be reliably monitored throughout their lifecycle. Onsite measures include unique identifiers, tamper-indicating devices, unattended monitors, and advanced facility surveillance technology. These approaches ensure the continuity and reliability of monitoring efforts, contributing to effective monitoring of critical systems or verification of treaty obligations.
- Assess Dismantlement Monitoring Options. Future treaty verification scenarios may require confirmation of nuclear warhead dismantlement. Monitoring a dismantlement process with carefully placed sensors may have lower information security risks than direct observation of the process. MAVERIC features ideal perimeter and logistical facilities for effectively tracking treaty-accountable items across the dismantlement process, ensuring verification requirements for compliance determinations.
Multiple, Specialized Facilities
MAVERIC is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with compounds on Kirtland Air Force Base and the Sandia National Laboratories campus.
A laboratory environment developed for fabrication, calibration, and communication.
A bunker compound and physical perimeter relevant to key operational environments.
An above-ground compound featuring logistical and laboratory structures relevant to operational environments.
Expertise
- Custom radiation detection and detector development
- Health, safety, and health physics
- Information protection and data management
- Authentication and certification
- Facility setup and operations
- Scenario development
- Project management and coordination
Contact
For more information about MAVERIC, please contact Shavawn Bell-Jenkins.