Expert assessments of the state of U.S. advanced fission innovation

Here, we report results from structured interviews we conducted with 30 nuclear energy veterans to elicit their impressions of the state of U.S. fission innovation. Most experts assessed NE as having been largely unsuccessful in enabling the development of advanced designs. The interview results highlight the importance of leadership and programmatic discipline, and how their absence leads to poor performance in driving change. Responses point to the likely demise of nuclear power and nuclear science in the U.S. without significant improvements in leadership, focus and political support.