Understanding Category IA Material: Legal Definition and Criteria
Definition & Meaning
The term Category IA material refers to a specific type of strategic special nuclear material (SSNM) that can be directly used to create a nuclear explosive device. However, there are certain exceptions based on the material's characteristics:
- If the item is large enough (at least 2 meters in one dimension, more than 1 meter in two dimensions, or over 25 centimeters in three dimensions), it cannot be concealed by an individual.
- If the total weight of the encapsulated SSNM is at least 50 kilograms, it cannot be carried discreetly by one person.
- If the quantity of SSNM in a container is less than 0.05 formula kilograms, it would require significant effort to gather the necessary 5 formula kilograms.