Y-12 teams recognized with Defense Programs Awards of Excellence

OAK RIDGE, Tenn — The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) recognized four teams at Y‑12 National Security Complex with Defense Programs Awards of Excellence, which were celebrated recently during an on‑site ceremony. The winning teams contributed to national security by meeting or exceeding the mission criteria established for the sites.

The Defense Programs Awards of Excellence were established in 1982 to recognize significant individual and team accomplishments in support of the NNSA nuclear weapons program. An executive review panel meets annually to select the winners.

Susan Morris, deputy manager of the NNSA Y‑12 Field Office, said, “The winning team members have shown a dedication to their mission and the creativity and know‑how to make it better. That’s what we are recognizing — the determination to do a job and to do it right.”

John Evans, NNSA principal assistant deputy administrator for Stockpile Management, acknowledged the unprecedented demand and the challenges the teams face every day. “You are the cornerstone of national security and your teams are responsible for delivering enduring capabilities for the United States nuclear deterrent,” he said.

Before describing the winning efforts, Tyler McClary, senior director of Stockpile Programs for Y‑12 managing‑and‑operating contractor Consolidated Nuclear Security, said, “Each of you should take pride in knowing that you not only delivered for our mission, but made significant improvements ensuring the Department of Defense can rely on a safe, secure, and reliable nuclear deterrent.”

Awards recognize significant contributions to national security

The Y‑12 teams honored with awards significantly impacted processes by improving quality, reducing production time, or decreasing labor. Brief summaries of the projects follow.

The 9204‑2E Weld Process Improvements Team drastically improved the weld process supporting a weapons program. The improvements consisted of refining the cleaning process, eliminating impurities that may impair the welding process.

The Assembly Team supported one weapons program by beginning test and evaluation builds five years earlier than other weapon programs. They leveraged existing tooling from another weapons program to eliminate the need for design and fabrication of new tooling. Furthermore, the team was able to complete test and evaluation builds for two weapons programs concurrently.

The Depleted Uranium Metal Cycle Operations Team established the triple pour pencil process for the furnace. This improvement increased capacity of the furnace to ensure meeting mission demand. By switching to the triple-pour method, the team was able to reduce labor hours by nearly 50%.

Finally, the Depleted Uranium Team reclaimed 23,000 square feet of invaluable floor space by removing out-of-service equipment and 45,000 cubic feet of various regulated waste. The reclamation effort allows for installation of new equipment and technologies that increase productivity, material efficiency, product quality, and capacity to meet future mission needs.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. Bechtel National, Inc. is the lead member of CNS; minority members include Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, LLC; and SOC LLC. Y-12 is a key facility in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects, and delivery as promised.

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CONTACT
Kathryn King, APR
Communications
Office (865) 315.5996
Kathryn.King@y12nsc.doe.gov