Y-12 National Security Complex

Operated by BWX Technologies Y‑12 for the National Nuclear Security Administration, Y‑12 plays a vital role in the U.S. Department of Energy's Nuclear Weapons Complex.

Related Topics:
BWX Technologies - National Nuclear Security Administration - U.S. Department of Energy

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Y-12 is located in the Bear Creek Valley of East Tennessee, adjacent to Oak Ridge, Tennessee (pop. 28,000), and about 15 miles (24 km) from Knoxville, Tennessee.

Related Topics:
Tennessee - Oak Ridge - Knoxville

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The Complex was constructed as part of the World War II Manhattan Project. Construction for the Manhattan Project began with the first shovelful of dirt turned at Y-12 in February 1943, and operations began in November of that year. The first site mission was the separation of uranium 235 from natural uranium by the electromagnetic separation process. In the years following World War II, Y-12 evolved into a high-precision manufacturing assembly and inspection facility while maintaining the nation?s uranium and lithium technology base. Missions have expanded since the end of the Cold War and the ensuing easing of international tensions. Y-12?s national defense missions focus on weapon components and production of nuclear weapon secondaries and prevention of the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

Related Topics:
World War II - Manhattan Project - Uranium 235 - Uranium - Lithium - Cold War - National defense - Nuclear weapon - Weapons of mass destruction

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Y-12's mission is to meet the needs of the U.S. Department of Energy, the NNSA, other government agencies, and private industry through a commitment to excellence in the use of a technology-based manufacturing center.

Related Topics:
U.S. Department of Energy - NNSA

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This mission includes

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• production/rework of complex nuclear weapon components and secondaries;
• receipt, storage, and protection of special nuclear materials;
• quality evaluation/enhanced surveillance of the nation?s nuclear weapon stockpile;
• dismantlement of weapon secondaries and disposition of weapon components;
• prevention of the spread of weapons of mass destruction; and
• support to DOE, other federal agencies, and other national priorities.

Another mission of long standing is the support of other federal agencies through a complementary work program. Y-12 applies unique expertise, initially developed for highly specialized military purposes, to a wide range of manufacturing problems to support the capabilities of the U.S. industrial base. Y-12?s all-inclusive expertise includes proceeding from concept, through detailed design and specification, to building prototypes and configuring integrated manufacturing processes.

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Y-12 National Security Complex: History of the Y-12 National Security Complex ►