The US government's effort targets "the illegal export of sensitive American technology -- technology that includes a wide range of controlled US military items, dual-use technology, and other products -- some of which can be used in the development of weapons of mass destruction," said Kenneth Wainstein, assistant US attorney general for national security.

"And, we know that foreign states are actively seeking out our technology to advance their own military systems and technical capacity," he told reporters.

A report published by US intelligence services last year found that 108 countries around the world are trying to obtain sensitive US technology. And according to the Pentagon, the number of "suspicious" contacts with US defense firms increased 43 percent in 2006.

"Some countries have been particularly aggressive in this area, like China and Iran, but there are others," Wainstein said.

"We know Iran is making efforts to get F-14 (fighter jet) replacement parts for its ageing fleet. There is also concern about nuclear know-how data, that could be used to build nuclear weapons."

The government initiative calls for training more prosecutors to handle arms smuggling cases and creating counter-proliferation task forces around the country to coordinate investigative work.

Such cases can be difficult to pursue as they involve "sensitive international issues, classified information and complex regulatory schemes," Wainstein said.

Last week, two people were charged in the Western state of Utah "for trying to export components for F-14 fighters, which Iran needs to maintain its air force," he said.

Attempts to smuggle arms and defense technology can be more subtle, with US authorities taking a careful look at seemingly harmless sales of equipment.

US officials recently blocked the shipment of 200 high speed and high intensity electrical switches that were supposedly destined for medical equipment in a South Africa hospital. But authorities later learned the cargo was bound for Pakistan and the switches could be used to detonate bombs.

"Export enforcement has become one of the fronts in the war on terror," said Darryl Jackson of the Commerce Department.

Illegal exports pose a serious threat to US troops and interests around the world, with night vision goggles and body armor frequently smuggled across borders, said Charles Beardall, director of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service of the Defense Department.

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