Y-12 and UT partner to solve complex manufacturing problems

National Security Prototype Center will develop workforce, support nuclear energy renaissance

OAK RIDGE, Tenn — Today, officials with Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), which manages and operates the Y‑12 National Security Complex (Y‑12) for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT), signed an agreement to collaborate on initiatives that enhance national security. As part of that collaboration, the partners will develop a National Security Prototype Center (NSPC) in Oak Ridge to solve complex manufacturing problems. The new NSPC facility will join the Emergency Response Training Facility and the under‑construction Oak Ridge Institute for Global Nuclear Security on the Oak Ridge Enhanced Technology and Training Center (ORETTC) campus.

CNS president and CEO Rich Tighe said, “The National Security Prototype Center will turn innovative ideas into qualified prototypes that will provide solutions for the nuclear deterrence, national security, and nuclear energy sectors. Y‑12’s demonstrated experience in high-precision, classified manufacturing and UT’s expertise in next-generation materials and manufacturing are a perfect fit to advance national and energy security imperatives.”

A perfect match
“The capabilities and resources of Y‑12 and UT are a perfect match to further the center’s objectives, including leveraging emerging technologies, such as extended reality, for high‑consequence industries and developing the workforce for nuclear weapons intelligence,” said Mary Helen Hitson, NNSA Y‑12 Field Office manager.

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Chancellor Donde Plowman agreed. “UT is well positioned to contribute a unique set of research strengths and capabilities to the center, including advanced materials, manufacturing, nuclear energy and security, and AI to name a few,” she said. “This partnership with Y‑12 is one of many we have with the nation’s premier manufacturer of nuclear material for national security. As Tennessee’s flagship, research‑intensive institution, our commitment to supporting and advancing national security though partnerships like this will greatly benefit our region and the nation.”

Hitson added, “The work that will take place at the National Security Prototype Center is vitally important to the security of our nation and the world. I look forward to witnessing the fruits of this collaboration.”

Many initiatives supporting national security
This agreement will allow Y‑12 and UT collaborate on the following initiatives:

Establishing the NSPC to solve complex manufacturing problems by transforming innovative ideas into qualified prototypes that yield solutions for nuclear deterrence, national security, and nuclear energy.

Recruiting a Distinguished Chair for National Security Manufacturing to lead the NSPC program and implement effective collaborations. The distinguished chair will hold a joint appointment at UT and Y‑12.

Creating shared facilities to advance NSPC objectives. The parties will create shared facilities to house the collaborative NSPC programs supported by the U.S. departments of Defense and Energy.

Leveraging emerging technologies, such as digital twins and extended reality, for high‑consequence industries. The partners intend to play a national leadership role in the development and deployment of these technologies in high‑consequence environments, such as nuclear material and energy production and emergency response.

Delivering hands‑on education and training programs for the nation’s future‑ready nuclear energy, security, and national defense workforce. These programs will include science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and skilled technical workers and will be flexible and responsive to employer 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.

For more information, visit www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

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