BWX Technologies lands $3.6M nuclear contract

Lynchburg-based nuclear fuel supplier BWX Technologies Inc. (BWXT) has been awarded a $3.6 million contract from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the company announced Tuesday.

The BWXT Nuclear Operations Group Inc. (a subsidiary of BWXT) will convert research reactors from high-enriched uranium. Research reactors are used to perform science experiments in nuclear physics, engineering, nuclear chemistry, materials science, biology and medicine. 

BWXT manufactures a uranium-molybdenum alloy called High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (U-Mo HALEU), which can retain reactor performance and prevent the risk of proliferation during experiments. Since 2006, the NNSA has been working with BWXT to develop the alloy, and the $3.6 million contract will also fund engineering work to remove and refurbish parts of the Lynchburg facility for more production.

“We are excited to be selected by NNSA to continue our long and successful history of fueling research reactors,” BWXT Nuclear Operations Group President Joel W. Duling said in a statement. “This development represents the intersection of our missions to enhance global security and lead nuclear innovation.”

In October 2019, the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program awarded an $806 million contract to BWXT Nuclear operations, which was in addition to an agreement with the program on new contracts totaling approximately $2.1 billion, including future-year options.

The company has approximately 6,600 employees across 12 major operating sites in the U.S. and Canada. BXWT also provides management and operations at U.S. Department of Energy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).