[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 130 (Thursday, July 8, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 41232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15438]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Defense Science Board

AGENCY: Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice of Advisory Committee Meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Defense Science Board Task Force on Employment of the 
National Ignition Facility (NIF) met in closed session on July 1-2, 
2004, Institute for Defense Analyses, 4850 Mark Center Drive, 
Alexandria, VA. This Task Force will review the experimental program 
under development for the National Ignition Facility. NIF is a key 
component of the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA's) 
Stockpile Stewardship Program to maintain the nuclear weapons stockpile 
without nuclear testing. The NIF is a 192-beam laser designed to 
achieve fusion ignition and produce high-energy-density condition 
approaching those of nuclear weapons. NNSA and the high-energy-density 
physics community have developed a plan for activation and early use of 
NIF which includes a goal to demonstrate ignition by 2010 and also 
supports high priority, non-ignition experiments required for stockpile 
stewardship. In this assessment, the task force will assess the 
proposed ignition and ``non-ignition'' high-energy-density experimental 
programs at NIF. Review the overall balance and priority of activities 
within the proposed plan and the degree to which the proposed program 
of NIF experiments supports the near and long term goals of stockpile 
stewardship and the overall NIF mission. Assess the potential for NIF 
to support the design and development of new weapons. Focus on the 
extent to which major stakeholders in NIF are effectively integrated 
into the plan.
    The mission of the Defense Science Board is to advise the Secretary 
of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, 
Technology & Logistics on scientific and technical matters as they 
affect the perceived needs of the Department of Defense. At these 
meetings, the Defense Science Board Task Force will assess the proposed 
ignition and ``non-ignition'' high-energy-density experimental programs 
at NIF. Review the overall balance and priority of activities within 
the proposed plan and the degree to which the proposed program of NIF 
experiments supports the near and long term goals of stockpile 
stewardship and the overall NIF mission. Assess the potential for NIF 
to support the design and development of new weapons. Focus on the 
extent to which major stakeholders in NIF are effectively integrated 
into the plan.
    In accordance with Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act, Pub. L. 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. App. II), it has been 
determined that these Defense Science Board Task Force meetings concern 
matters listed in 5 U.S.C. 552(c) (1) and (4) and that, accordingly, 
these meetings will be closed to the public.
    ``Due to scheduling difficulties, there is insufficient time to 
provide timely notice required by Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act and Subsection 101-6.1015(b) of the GSA Final 
Rule on Federal Advisory Committee Management, 41 CFR Part 101-6, which 
further requires publication at least 15 calendar days prior to the 
meeting.''

    Dated: June 30, 2004.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternative OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of 
Defense.
[FR Doc. 04-15438 Filed 7-7 -04; 8:45 am]
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