Defense Programs

Y‑12’s main mission is to ensure the U.S. nuclear arsenal is safe, secure, and reliable. Portions of every weapon in the U.S. nuclear stockpile were manufactured at Y‑12, and we employ only the most advanced and failsafe technologies to protect the stockpile. We focus our expertise to:

Manufacture complex components to extremely high levels of precision.

Process highly enriched uranium to propel nuclear submarines in the Naval Reactors Program.

Partnership with other federal agencies and industry to apply the best scientific discoveries to real-world manufacturing challenges, developing processes and producing prototypes.

Safeguard special nuclear materials from retired or dismantled weapons.

Ensure a safe and reliable nuclear deterrent through assessment, surveillance and refurbishment.

Replace World War II-era facilities to increase efficiency and security, reduce costs and shrink the site to a safer, more manageable size.

Create prototypes of complex equipment.