Factory acceptance testing of the L-positioner

As part of the nuclear non-proliferation mission conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (U.S. DOE NNSA), Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) of the L-positioner were carried out in Piacenza, Italy, on May 27–28, 2026, by specialists from the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NNC RK) and the U.S. national laboratories. The equipment, manufactured by Sideros Engineering, is intended for the repackaging of highly enriched uranium (HEU) fuel from the IGR research reactor. This operation constitutes a key stage of the fuel down-blending process and contributes to the elimination of global nuclear security risks. The tests were completed successfully. The equipment will be shipped to the Republic of Kazakhstan in the near future, where it will undergo installation, commissioning, and operator training prior to deployment.