CTBTO Executive Secretary Lassina Zerbo and Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour
Support from all parts of the Jordanian government
Build-up Exercise for IFE14 in September 2012 in Bruckneudorf, Austria
Build-up Exercise for IFE14 in September 2012 in Bruckneudorf, Austria
IN ARABIC: باللغة العربية
IFE14 was an Integrated Field Exercise to simulate an almost entire on-site inspection (OSI) in Jordan from 3 November to 9 December 2014 organized by the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). During IFE14 the inspection team conducted a meticulous search of a clearly defined inspection area to establish whether or not a nuclear explosion had been conducted. The exercise was in response to a technically realistic and stimulating but fictional scenario.
Updates
- IFE14 concludes successfully
- Detecting the smoking gun: How voluntary contributions make a difference
- High-level group observes IFE14’s field activities
- Joint CTBTO-Jordanian press release on start of IFE14
- IFE14 kicks off with launch-phase activities
- Frequently Asked Questions
- IFE14 Project Update
- Honing Airborne Technique Skills
IFE14 in the news
Chilling radiation exercises by the Dead Sea (The Independent)
Игры в «кошки-мышки» или как проследить соблюдение договора о ядерных испытаниях? (UN Radio) [Playing "cat and mouse" or how to verify compliance with a treaty on nuclear testing.]
Pre-IFE14 tests and training
- Ground Control getting ready - Operation Support Centre staff training
- Final training for exercise participants concluded
- MSIR field test and expert group meeting on communications in November 2013 in Jordan
- CTBTO conducts a Deep CPT Equipment Test in advance of IFE14
- AGRS and MSIR equipment certified for operation during IFE14
- CTBTO staff trained in radiation protection and safety
Contact
For specific inquiries or further information on the IFE14, please contact the Project Management Team at ife14@ctbto.org.
IFE14 PARTICIPANTS AND PLANNERS: LOGIN
On-site Inspections
Upon entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), an on-site inspection (OSI) will become the final verification measure conducted to ascertain whether or not a nuclear explosion has taken place.
Any State Party will then have the right to request the inspection of an area where it believes a nuclear explosion may have been carried out in violation of the CTBT. The Executive Council will need to approve any request before it is carried out.
Inspection Phases
An inspection follows a series of clearly defined steps and timelines. During IFE14 the organization exercised each phase of an OSI: starting with the receipt of the request, through the inspection, to the return of all equipment and personnel.
The IFE14 Host Country
The CTBTO selected Jordan's offer to host IFE14. The exercise was conducted during November and December 2014 in an inspection area of up to 1,000 km2 on the banks of the Dead Sea. This was the second major exercise in the country after Directed Exercise 2010.
Inspection Techniques
The Treaty defines specific activities and techniques that can be applied during an OSI, starting with less intrusive and moving to more intrusive techniques. Learn more about the techniques used in IFE14.
IFE14 Brochure
Download the pdf IFE14 Brochure providing detailed information on OSIs, the exercise objectives, techniques to be used and envisaged timelines.
Arabic version here: (PDF)
The IFE14 Build Up Exercises
In preparation for IFE14, the organization conducted a series of build-up exercises to practise each phase of an OSI within realistic time frames.
- Build-Up Exercise I focused on the launch phase and took place in April 2012 in Austria.
- Build-Up Exercise II/IV tested both the pre- and post-inspection phases and took place in September 2012 in Austria.
- Build-Up Exercise III practiced the inspection phase in May/June 2013 in Hungary.
Training Inspectors
The CTBTO is involved in a continuous process of developing a training programme of inspectors for adoption upon entry into force of the CTBT. The training programme is regularly tested on surrogate inspectors, a number of whom participated in IFE14.
In September 2013, a training conducted in Sicily, Italy, familiarized participants with special airborne techniques (video) that were used during IFE14.
In advance of IFE14, the organization also trained individuals from the host country to prepare them to fulfill their various roles in the exercise.
