A remote verification system for international safeguards: Status of the RECOVER programme in the IAEA

The paper describes the current status of the Remote Continual Verification (RECOVER) programme being conducted in the Agency. The programme which started in 1979 with support from the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency has, as participants, several other Member States besides the U.S.A., namely Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, the Federal Republic of Germany, Japan and the United Kingdom, the aim being to demonstrate a new system designed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of international safeguards. The paper briefly explains the RECOVER concept and the functions of the various components of the system such as the Monitoring Unit (MU), On-Site Multiplexer (OSM) and the Resident Verification Unit (RVU). Results obtained since the installation of the RVU at IAEA Headquarters at the beginning of 1980 are outlined. The feasibility of secure transmission data via public telephone lines was demonstrated. In the initial design these data were supposed to be status-data of containment/surveillance devices such as cameras, seals, CCTV. A later modification permitted the transmission of alpha-numerical texts such as certain inspection forms via RECOVER. With the progress of testing and demonstrating the RECOVER system it was felt necessary to evaluate the cost and benefits of implementing RECOVER for IAEA safeguards. A draft report prepared by the Brookhaven National Laboratory on this subject was the main topic of discussion at the last meeting of RECOVER participants held in June 1982. The paper concludes by identifying certain tasks that need to be successfully completed before RECOVER is ready for routine use by the Agency. (author)