If you’ve ever driven alongside an unmarked semi-truck on the highway, you might have unknowingly encountered the U.S. government’s “Ghost Trucks.” Operated by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)’s Office of Secure Transportation (OST), these vehicles discreetly transport highly sensitive cargo across the United States. Here, we’ll explain their history, purpose, and why their custom features are classified.

What Are “Ghost Trucks”?

“Ghost Trucks” refer to the fleet of highly modified, unmarked semi-trucks and trailers used by the OST. The fleet’s purpose is to ensure the safe and secure movement of sensitive nuclear materials. The couriers — drivers and their attending escorts — are Federal Agents.

The trucks’ unassuming appearance helps them blend seamlessly into regular traffic, maintaining a low profile during their critical missions. Pay attention, and you might spot one or two escort vehicles driving near the Ghost Truck.

Operational Scope

The Office of Secure Transportation operates under the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

OST’s “Ghost Trucks” operate primarily within the contiguous United States, transporting critical materials between military sites, national laboratories, and other secure facilities.

There are three command posts that each manage about a third of the nation’s OST Federal Agent operations. They’re located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Amarillo, Texas, and Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Since its launch in 1975, OST says it has accumulated more than 140 million miles of over-the-road experience transporting special cargo without any accidents causing a fatality or release of radioactive material.

Ghost Truck Specifications and Features

Since 1975, transportation methods evolved from sedans and open-bed trucks to the advanced, secure tractor-trailers in use today.

The OST developed the Mobile Guardian Transporters (MGT), the fleet’s current generation, in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories. Sandia built the prototype from scratch. The MGT is an 18-wheel tractor-trailer designed with advanced security measures to deter unauthorized access and ensure the safe transport of its cargo.

The OST classified specific details about the MGT’s features to prevent unauthorized entry. Still, these vehicles clearly incorporate various deterrents to prevent unwanted removal or damage to cargo.

Sandia shared that during its design and test phases, its team measured operational shock, vibration, and thermal cycling to ensure the semi-truck could effectively protect its sensitive contents.

In 2020, Sandia crash-tested the MGT prototype by filling another semi-truck to full capacity and rocket-launching it down a track to T-bone an idle MGT. The MGT passed. Sandia execs touted the test as “flawlessly executed.”

“It provides needed assurance to the American public and our allies of the safety and security of our stockpile,” Jim Redmond, the senior manager of the program, said in a press release. “You’ve got to be able to ship nuclear assets safely and securely or you don’t have a deterrence program.”

Cargo Details

The primary mission of these transports is to carry nuclear weapons, nuclear weapon components, and special nuclear materials. This includes plutonium, uranium-233, or uranium enriched in the isotopes uranium-233 or uranium-235.

Spotting a “Ghost Truck”

While the Feds mean for these trucks to blend in, certain features might hint at their unique purpose. They often travel in convoys with other unmarked vehicles and maintain a consistent speed. The next time you notice such a convoy, you’ll have insight into the mission they’re undertaking.