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For members: Y-12, Pantex contract extended for two years, $3.8 billion

Posted at 7:47 am August 1, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above. (Photo courtesy CNS Y-12)

 

The contract to manage and operate the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant near Amarillo, Texas, has been extended for two years, and the extension is valued at about $3.8 billion, the National Nuclear Security Administration said Wednesday.

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Note: Most news stories on Oak Ridge Today are free, brought to you by Oak Ridge Today with help from our advertisers, sponsors, and subscribers. Some are considered premium content. This story is premium content. Premium content can include in-depth, investigative, and exclusive stories. They are generally stories that have required more than four hours to report, write, and publish.

Filed Under: Front Page News, National Nuclear Security Administration, Premium Content, Slider, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: CNS, CNS contract, consolidated contract, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, contract, contract extension, cost savings, National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, nuclear weapons, Pantex Plant, U.S. Department of Energy, UPF, uranium processing facility, Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12, Pantex give more than $1 million to United Way

Posted at 1:42 pm February 13, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Contributions to the United Way from the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge and Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, topped $1 million in 2018. The donations were collected from employees and retirees, according to Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, which manages and operates the two sites.

The sites engaged in year-long campaigns to generate money for the United Way, raising funds through silent auctions and various jewelry, book, and food sales at the sites as well as employee contributions, CNS said in a press release. A $150,000 donation from the parent companies of CNS was also included in the total.

“One of the best ways to help our local communities is through the United Way,” Y-12 Site Manager Bill Tindal said. “Y-12 and East Tennessee are special places because of the commitment of our employees to giving back to our neighbors.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, National Nuclear Security Administration, Nonprofits, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: Bill Tindal, CNS, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, Pantex Plant, Todd Ailes, United Way, Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12 finishes first production unit for B61-12 bomb

Posted at 5:43 pm January 21, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Employees at Y-12 National Security Complex recently completed the first production unit of the B61-12. This refurbishment will extend the life of this strategic weapon for 20 years. (Submitted photo)

Employees at Y-12 National Security Complex recently completed the first production unit of the B61-12. This refurbishment will extend the life of this strategic weapon for 20 years. (Submitted photo)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 9:45 a.m. Jan. 22.

Canned subassembly certified four months ahead of schedule

The Y-12 National Security Complex on Monday said it has completed a major milestone in efforts to refurbish components for a strategic nuclear weapons system that is vital to the U.S. nuclear deterrent.

The first production unit for a bomb called the B61-12 was certified at Y-12 on December 6, 2018.

The work is part of the B61 Life Extension Program, or LEP. The B61 is a nuclear bomb that can be carried on several types of military aircraft. The B61 LEP will extend the life of this strategic weapon for 20 years, said Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, which manages and operates Y-12 for the National Nuclear Security Administration.

B61 bombs are the oldest nuclear weapons in the nation’s active stockpile. They have been in service almost 50 years, and critical components of the bombs are reaching the end of their operational lives. The B61 was first “fielded” in 1968, and current modifications were fielded between 1979 and 1991, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, National Nuclear Security Administration, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: B61, B61 LEP, B61 Life Extension Program, B61-12, B61-12 LEP, B61-12 Life Extension Program, Bill Tindal, Boeing Tail Kit Assembly, canned subassembly, CNS, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, LEP, Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, NNSA Production Office, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, nuclear weapons, Pantex Plant, secondary, thermonuclear weapons, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Government Accountability Office, U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile, weapon stockpile, Y-12 National Security Complex

NNSA deploying systems to counter drones, including at Y-12

Posted at 11:09 pm November 19, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The counter-unmanned aircraft system installed at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico to enforce the federally designated no-drone zone. (Photo courtesy National Nuclear Security Administration)

The counter-unmanned aircraft system installed at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico to enforce the federally designated no-drone zone. (Photo courtesy National Nuclear Security Administration)

 

The National Nuclear Security Administration is deploying systems that will counter drones at four sites that house special nuclear materials, including the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge.

Deployed by the Office of Defense Nuclear Security, the systems are designed to mitigate any malicious aerial intruders at NNSA sites. They will have the capability to detect, identify, track, and intercept unsanctioned and suspicious drones, the NNSA said Monday.

One system has already been deployed at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico.

“We needed a system to counter threats ranging from on-site disruption by protestors to intelligence gathering, surveillance, and reconnaissance of NNSA sites, plants, and labs,” said Lewis Monroe III, director of security operations and programmatic planning. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, National Nuclear Security Administration, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: aerial intruders, Category 1 nuclear facilities, drone flights, drones, FAA, Federal Aviation Administration, Lewis Monroe III, Los Alamos National Laboratory, National Nuclear Security Administration, national security sites, Nevada National Security Site, NNSA, NNSA Category 1 nuclear facilities, no-drone zone, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pantex Plant, Sandia National Laboratories, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12 approved for B61-12 weapons work

Posted at 11:14 am October 21, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Image from U.S. Government Accountability Office report in May 2018 on B61-12 Nuclear Bomb.

Image from U.S. Government Accountability Office report in May 2018 on the B61-12 nuclear bomb.

 

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge has been approved to produce a major component of a nuclear bomb known as the B61-12.

The approval was the final step to authorize the manufacturing and delivery of the first production unit of a component called the canned subassembly. It’s scheduled for March 2019, according to Y-12. A canned subassembly is the second stage of a modern thermonuclear weapon, and it is part of the nuclear explosives package.

The Y-12 work is part of the B61-12 Life Extension Program, which will consolidate four versions of the bomb into one. The bombs could be carried on B-2A bomber aircraft and F-15Es, several types of F-16s, and PA-200 fighters, and in the future, F-35s and B-21s.

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Oak Ridge, TN 37831

Note: Most news stories on Oak Ridge Today are free, brought to you by Oak Ridge Today with help from our advertisers, sponsors, and subscribers. Some are considered premium content. This story is premium content. Premium content can include in-depth, investigative, and exclusive stories.

Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government, National Nuclear Security Administration, Premium Content, Slider, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: B61, B61-12, B61-12 LEP, B61-12 Life Extension Program, Bill Tindal, Boeing Tail Kit Assembly, canned subassembly, DOE, GAO, Kansas City National Security Campus, LEP, life extension program, Los Alamos National Laboratory, National Nuclear Security Administration, NATO, NNSA, NNSA Production Office, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, nuclear bomb, nuclear explosives package, nuclear weapons, Pantex Plant, qualification evaluation release, Ronald G. Allen Jr., Sandia National Laboratories, Savannah River Site, secondary, Steven Wyatt, thermonuclear weapons, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Government Accountability Office, Y-12 National Security Complex

Updated: New Y-12 contract has 2.5 percent wage increases for guards

Posted at 8:37 pm July 6, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 1:20 p.m. July 8.

A new contract at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge includes 2.5 percent wage increases for security police officers.

The new contract, a five-year labor agreement, applies to more than 360 security police officers at Y-12.

The International Guards Union of America Local 3 and Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that operates Y-12, reached the agreement on Tuesday, July 3. Negotiations had started in mid-May.

The agreement includes 2.5 percent wage increases each year, said Shannon Gray, president of IGUA Local 3, which is in Oak Ridge. There are also some other incentive payments for rotating shift workers, who will receive a significant bump in pay, Gray said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, National Nuclear Security Administration, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: CNS, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, contract, Ellen Boatner, health care, IGUA, IGUA Local 3, International Guards Union of America, labor agreement, Pantex Plant, pension benefits, security police officers, Shannon Gray, wage increases, Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12 part of extending life of nation’s oldest nuclear weapons

Posted at 11:54 pm June 4, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Image from U.S. Government Accountability Office report in May 2018 on B61-12 Nuclear Bomb.

Image from U.S. Government Accountability Office report in May 2018 on B61-12 Nuclear Bomb.

 

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge is part of a program to extend the life of B61 bombs, the oldest nuclear weapons in the nation’s active stockpile, federal officials said.

The life extension program, or LEP, for the B61 bombs is the most complex and expensive since the U.S. Department of Energy began stockpile life extension activities in January 1996, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Critical components of the bombs are reaching the end of their operational lives, and the life extension program will result in a bomb known as B61-12. It will consolidate four versions of the bomb into one. The bombs could be carried on B-2A bomber aircraft and F-15E, F-16, F-35, and PA-200 fighters.

A GAO report described the role of six National Nuclear Security Administration sites and laboratories in the LEP. Besides Y-12, the NNSA sites are Kansas City National Security Campus in Missouri; Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico; Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas; Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina.

Y-12 is designated as the production site for the secondary. All weapons in the U.S. nuclear stockpile are two-stage nuclear weapons, or thermonuclear weapons. The first stage, known as the primary, is a fission device that is the initial source of nuclear energy, the GAO said. The secondary, which is the second stage, is a nuclear stage physically separate from the primary. Together, the primary and secondary are referred to as the weapon’s nuclear explosive package, the GAO said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government, National Nuclear Security Administration, Slider, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: .S. Department of Defense, Air Force, air-launched cruise missile, B61 bomb, B61-12, GAO, Kansas City National Security Campus, life extension program, Los Alamos National Laboratory, National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, nuclear ballistic missile submarines, nuclear weapon modernization, nuclear weapons, Pantex Plant, Sandia National Laboratories, Savannah River Site, stockpile life extension, submarine-launched ballistic missile, thermonuclear weapons, Trident II D5 missiles, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Government Accountability Office, U.S. nuclear stockpile, W76 warhead, W76-1 LEP, W76-1 Life Extension Program, W88 Alteration 370, Y-12 National Security Complex

East Tennessee Foundation, CNS Y-12 accepting nonprofit grant applications

Posted at 4:48 pm April 29, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

East Tennessee Foundation is now accepting applications for funding from the CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund, or CNS Y-12 Fund. That’s a donor advised fund of East Tennessee Foundation, a press release said.

Organizations must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) or other exempt entities located in the CNS Y-12 20-county service area, the press release said. Grant applications are sought to support one or more of the committee’s two focus areas: cultural and historic preservation, or mental health and substance abuse.

To determine eligibility and apply, visit www.etf.org/grants through May 23.  Grant awards will primarily range from $2,000-$15,000. One-year grants will be awarded in early fall 2018, the press release said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Front Page News, Nonprofits, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: CNS Y-12, CNS Y-12 Community Investment Fund, CNS Y-12 Fund, cultural and historic preservation, East Tennessee Foundation, grant awards, grants, mental health and substance abuse, Pantex Plant, Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12, Pantex donate $1.1 million to local United Way campaigns

Posted at 8:42 am February 27, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

United Way contributions at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge totaled about $1.1 million.

The contributions were announced last week by Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, the contractor that manages and operates the two sites. Contributions from employees, retirees, and the corporation were gathered during the sites’ recent campaigns, CNS said in a press release.

Corporate gifts of $150,000 also added to the total, CNS said. Funds also were raised through special events, such as silent auctions, and the sales of jewelry, books, and food items. This year, both sites’ employees added to their United Way activities by raising funds and supplies for local veteran resource centers, the press release said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Front Page News, National Nuclear Security Administration, Nonprofits, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: Bill Tindal, CNS, Consolidated Nuclear Security LLC, National Nuclear Security Administration, Pantex Plant, Todd Ailes, United Way, United Way campaigns, United Way contributions, Y-12 National Security Complex

With government shut down, Y-12 employees still working

Posted at 1:49 pm January 20, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

The sign at the main entrance to the Y-12 National Security Complex is pictured above on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

With some apparent exceptions, employees at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge will continue working even after the federal government shut down after federal funding expired Friday.

Y-12 posted an announcement after the federal government shut down early Saturday. The announcement said workers at Y-12 and the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, are expected to report to work on their next scheduled work day unless they have previously approved leave or have been given formal notice by their management to not report to work.

A few other federal organizations and federal contractors didn’t immediately appear to have posted notices as of early Saturday afternoon, about 12 hours after the shutdown began. Those include Oak Ridge National Laboratory. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government, National Nuclear Security Administration, Slider, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: Consolidated Nuclear Security, DOE, East Tennessee Technology Park, federal government shutdown, National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge Office, Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management, Oak Ridge Reservation, Office of Scientific and Technical Information, ORNL, Pantex Plant, shutdown, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex

Y-12 to build replacement parts for nuclear warheads on submarine missiles

Posted at 5:28 pm January 18, 2018
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

A Trident II D5 missile test launch (Photo courtesy National Nuclear Security Administration)

A Trident II D5 missile test launch (Photo courtesy National Nuclear Security Administration)

 

The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge has been approved to build parts for a system being replaced in the W88 nuclear warhead, which is deployed on submarine-launched missiles, according to the National Nuclear Security Administration.

The W88 has been a key part of the nation’s nuclear deterrent since it became part of the weapons stockpile in 1988, the NNSA said on its website Tuesday. But it needs maintenance.

The W88 Alteration (Alt) 370 program will replace the warhead’s Arming, Fuzing, and Firing, or AF&F, subsystem and address other aging issues to maintain its current state of readiness, the NNSA said.

Y-12 has been approved to build component parts for the W88 Alt 370 nearly two years ahead of schedule. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, National Nuclear Security Administration, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: AF&F subsystem, ballistic missile submarines, Kansas City National Security Campus, Los Alamos National Laboratory, National Nuclear Security Administration, NNSA, Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, Pantex Plant, Sandia National Laboratories, Savannah River Site, submarine-launched missiles, Trident II D5 missile, Trident II D5 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile, U.S. Navy, W88 Alt 370, W88 Alteration (Alt) 370 program, W88 nuclear warhead, Y-12 National Security Complex

FAA restricts drone flights over ORNL, Y-12

Posted at 1:25 pm December 22, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Photo courtesy Federal Aviation Administration

Photo courtesy Federal Aviation Administration

 

Note: This story was last updated at 4:10 p.m.

The Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Department of Energy have agreed to restrict drone flights over Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Y-12 National Security Complex, and five other federal sites.

It is the first time the FAA has placed specific airspace restrictions for unmanned aircraft, or “drones,” over DOE sites.

Under the new rules, no drones can be operated within the restricted areas from the ground (surface) up to an altitude of 400 feet. The airspace restrictions take effect Friday, December 29.

Here are the seven sites that are affected: [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Front Page News, Government, Government, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Slider, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: airspace restrictions, DOE, drone flights, drones, FAA, FAA Notice to Airmen, Federal Aviation Administration, Hanford Site, Idaho National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, national security restrictions, NOTAM, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, Pantex Plant, Savannah River National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, unauthorized drone operations, unmanned aircraft, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Y-12 National Security Complex

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