In this episode, Curtis and Jim discuss the National Nuclear Security Administration’s recent achievement of producing the first plutonium pit in 35 years. They delve into the complex process of their production, the challenges faced in ramping up production to meet future demands, and speculations regarding a recent seismic event in Iran.
About the Author
Curtis McGiffin
Col. Curtis McGiffin (U.S. Air Force, Ret.) is Vice President for Education at the National Institute for Deterrence Studies and visiting professor at Missouri State University’s School of Defense and Strategic Studies.
Read the full bio here.
James Petrosky
Dr. James C. Petrosky is the President of the National Institute for Deterrence Studies (NIDS). He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Engineering Physics where he developed experimental techniques for the prediction of damage to electronic devices and materials. He has a substantial technical expertise in pulsed radiation effects and nuclear weapon survivability, with an emphasis on radiation effects on electronics and electromagnetic pulse.
As President of NIDS, Dr. Petrosky is responsible for the overall operation, mission, and vision of the organization. His primary focus is on developing and achieving strategic objectives aligned with the NIDS mission and sponsors, and assessing and managing the manpower needs.
