Press Releases

NNSA is known for harnessing the power of the atom to help defend the United States. But the facility in Texas where we assemble and dissemble nuclear warheads is powered in part by an entirely different form of energy: the largest government-owned wind farm in the country.

In 2013, NNSA built the 11.5-megawatt Pantex Renewable Energy Project (PREP) Wind Farm, with five turbines, each 400 feet tall, built on 1,500 acres of federal land adjacent to the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. It holds the honor of the largest federal wind farm in the United States. The farm is designed to generate more than 47 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, about 60% of Pantex’s energy needs.

Read the full press release on the NNSA website.

AMARILLO, Texas –To improve production output and position the Pantex Plant to deliver planned future weapons work, Pantex aims to hire more than 200 production technicians by fall 2022.

“Pantex is a key integration point in the weapons supply chain, where parts and services come together from other sites and make up the final product that supports the nuclear deterrent. We have a significant volume of work ahead of us, and we need additional hands-on expertise to make production a reality,” said Diane Grooms, Chief Human Resources Officer.

This presents an extraordinary hiring opportunity for citizens in the Panhandle and nearby states with trades experience. Pantex is searching for those who can do the actual hands-on work to ensure the nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, and effective. Citizens with a background in at least one of the following areas are needed: manufacturing, machining, maintenance, welding, electrical, automotive/diesel, and instrument technology. A high school diploma or GED is required, as well as six months of verifiable hands-on work experience.

Production opportunities at Pantex have increased based on long-term strategic priorities outlined by the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration. Although the last new nuclear weapon was completed in 1991, Pantex ensures the continuing effectiveness of the nuclear stockpile as the nation’s primary assembly, disassembly, retrofit, and life-extension center for nuclear weapons. While these efforts are familiar to Pantex, many weapons’ life-extension projects are being simultaneously phased in and out, creating an increased need for workers to meet multiple project deadlines.

“This is an opportunity to be part of a team that is dedicated to the nuclear security of our nation, but also provides a critical role in global security. We have the phrase, ‘Pantex Pride’ for a reason. We are doing the jobs that very few in the world can do,” said Pantex Site Manager Jeff Yarbrough.

Those hired can expect competitive pay and benefits, as well as contributing meaningful work to support the safety and security of our nation and the world. Those interested in applying should visit pantex.energy.gov/careers/productiontech.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. CNS member companies include Bechtel National, Inc.; Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, Inc.; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities 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 on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

Amarillo, Texas - From hovercrafts to coding, five schools in the Texas Panhandle will soon advance their educational efforts in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) with grants from Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), the managing and operating contractor for Pantex. This month, CNS awarded five $1,000 grants for STEM activities in the classroom and to help develop Pantex’s future workforce.

Grants were awarded to the following schools and projects:

• Dumas Intermediate, for conduction, coding, and creating activities;
• Highland Park Elementary, hovercrafts;
• Ridgecrest Elementary, STEAM (science, technology, art, and math) Lab;
• Rogers Elementary, coding; and
• White Deer Elementary, snap circuit kits.

CNS announced the grant opportunities in recognition of Engineers Week in February. In March, a total of 15 submissions were evaluated by a panel of volunteer engineers at Pantex. The group carefully reviewed all the applications and narrowed the impressive list down in order to recommend the five winners.

“Having an opportunity to offer these grants to our local educators was a great way to help encourage STEM education in our future workforce,” said Darla Fish, Community and Educational Outreach coordinator at Pantex.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. CNS member companies include Bechtel National, Inc.; Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, Inc.; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities 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 on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

State-of-the-art building to replace WWII-era structures, modernizing NNSA high explosive manufacturing capability

AMARILLO, Texas – The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration this week celebrated the groundbreaking of the Pantex Plant’s new Advanced Fabrication Facility. The AFF will replace structures dating back almost eight decades and support Pantex’s role as NNSA's High Explosives Center of Excellence for Manufacturing. Modernization efforts across Pantex continue as antiquated structures are removed and new ones are set to take their place.

The 20,000 square foot AFF will allow consolidation of HE machining operations from one World War II-era building and one Cold War-era building into a single, modern facility. Relocating these operations allows restoration of HE machining capacity to support NNSA weapons programs. Completion is anticipated in late 2023.

Read the full press release on the NNSA website

Amarillo Texas— In recognition of Engineers Week during the last week in February, Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) manager and operator of Pantex, is sponsoring $1,000 grants for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classrooms. The goal of the grants that have been designated for grades K–12, is to foster advancement of STEM activities in the classroom and to help develop Pantex’s future workforce.

Public and private school teachers or school administrators in the following Texas Panhandle counties may apply: Armstrong, Briscoe, Carson, Castro, Childress, Collingsworth, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hall, Hansford, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman, Swisher, and Wheeler.

Grant application information is available on the Pantex website, and applications will be accepted through Feb. 25, 2022. Educators who are immediate family members of Pantex employees are not eligible to apply for or receive a grant.

Pantex staff will evaluate the grant applications and make recommendations for grant allocations. Once a final decision is made, five grants of $1,000 each will be made payable to the individual school and will be dispersed to the teacher or administrator in accordance with school protocol.

Grants will be awarded in March, and all funds must be spent by June 1, 2022.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. CNS member companies include Bechtel National, Inc.; Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, Inc.; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities 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 on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

Pantex is an FAA designated "No Drone Zone"

AMARILLO, Texas -- The Pantex Plant has deployed a system to counter all unauthorized unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones, over Pantex airspace, which is a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) designated “No Drone Zone.” FAA regulations on UAS and counter UAS measures can be found by click here.

“The National Nuclear Security Administration Production Office (NPO) is announcing this deployment and the airspace restriction to the public to minimize the threat of unauthorized UAS flights over Pantex,” said Teresa Robbins, NPO Manager. “This will enhance our ability to effectively protect this vital national security facility.”

The Pantex system is intended to detect, identify, and track potentially malicious UAS threats. The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act provides the legal authority from Congress for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to protect its facilities for its counter UAS program.

UAS operators who violate the airspace restrictions at Pantex may also be subject to enforcement action, including potential civil penalties and criminal charges. NNSA and contractor officials are working closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement to coordinate necessary enforcement actions. Advertisements and social media messages will also be issued to remind the public of these restrictions.

NNSA welcomes assistance from the local community and UAS operators to help ensure the safety and protection of the Pantex Plant and its personnel from unauthorized UAS activities. NNSA will educate the public about the “No Drone Zone.” Education efforts will include installing signage around the Pantex site perimeter advising the public of the site boundary where drones are not allowed, as well as outreach to local officials and community groups, the media and UAS hobbyists.

NPO is responsible for ensuring the safe, secure, and effective operation of Pantex Plant and the Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

Established by Congress in 2000, NNSA is a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for enhancing national security through the military application of nuclear science. NNSA maintains and enhances the safety, security, and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile; works to reduce the global danger from weapons of mass destruction; provides the U.S. Navy with safe and militarily effective nuclear propulsion; and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and abroad.

Inventions and patents recognized

Amarillo, Texas— Consolidated Nuclear Security recently celebrated innovations at Pantex and Y-12 during fiscal year 2021. Personnel behind nine inventions and five patents were recognized in a combined virtual ceremony.

Speaking to the attendees, Chief Operating Officer Bill Tindal challenged the inventors to develop a vision for leveraging transformative technology solutions to advance the National Security Enterprise. He noted, “Modeling of production processes helps us make decisions and determine how technologies can be applied by enabling understanding of the inherent complexity.”

Pantex Site Manager Jeff Yarbrough remarked on the necessity of innovation to support the increasing workload. He said, “We’re trying to replace a lot of sunsetting technology at Pantex, and we need to do that faster with innovators’ help.”

Nine inventions disclosed

Y-12 employees filed eight invention disclosures during FY 2021, ranging from environmental and electrical load controllers, to diagnostic tools, sensors and unique material processes. Among those recognized were Eric Spurgeon, Justin Holland, Rachel Bachorek, Robert Cole, Ed Ripley and Jacob Miller. At Pantex, Stephen Jones and Brian Harlow filed an invention disclosure for laser pulse shaping for a laser-powered bed fusion printer.

Five patents awarded

Y-12 employees were also awarded five patents in FY 2021:

• Toughened, Corrosion- and Wear-Resistant Composite Structures and Fabrication Methods Thereof by inventors Roland Seals (retired), Ed Ripley, and Rusty Hallman;
• Titanium-Group Nano-Whiskers and Method of Production by inventors Roland Seals of Y-12 and Paul Menchhofer and James Kiggans, Jr, of Oak Ridge National Laboratory;
• Ceramic Radiation Detector Device and Method, by inventors Jeff Preston and Ashley Stowe;
• Additive Manufacturing of Mixed-Metal Parts Using Sol-Gel Feed Materials by inventors Vincent Lamberti, Roland Seals, and Patrick Moehlen; and
• Fail-Safe Reactivity Compensation for a Nuclear Reactor by inventors Peter Angelo of Y-12 and Erik Nygaard and Scott Aase of BWXT.

A new addition to the event this year was a leadership roundtable, which engaged members of the executive leadership team in an open discussion to share their vision for innovation and inspire creative thinking for some of the most pressing and challenging problems facing national security.

Support enables success

None of these achievements would be possible without substantial support. In that vein, Ed Ripley of Y-12 and Jeff Yokum of Pantex were honored with Technology Transfer Support Awards for their significant support of the tech transfer program at their respective sites. The award recognizes employees whose efforts go above and beyond the call of duty in contributing to technology promotion and licensing.

Ripley has a long history with tech transfer, including more than 30 patents. “Ed is a thought leader, innovator, and champion for the CNS Technology Transfer Program,” said Jennifer Palmer, CNS Technology Transfer Program manager. “He’s also fostered key technology partnerships and enabled exploration of new opportunities in critical areas.”

Yokum also encourages new innovations for technology development and advancement. “Jeff is an advocate for technology innovation in high explosives manufacturing, and he worked with a machine tool company to custom design a computer numerically controlled five-axis mill-lathe machining center,” said Palmer.

Technology innovation benefits taxpayers, workforce

Y-12 Site Manager Gene Sievers closed the ceremony by thanking the group for their commitment to innovation. “Technology provides better products, better processes, and a safer work environment,” he said. “Your efforts benefit taxpayers, the workforce of today, and the workforce of tomorrow by making our work better, easier, and safer.”

Consolidated Nuclear Security manages and operates the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. A central Technology Transfer Office manages the commercialization and partnership efforts for both sites.

Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. CNS member companies include Bechtel National, Inc.; Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, Inc.; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities 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 on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.0490
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pantex.doe.gov

Fifteen Pantexans volunteered as judges at the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering’s 6th Annual Egg Drop Competition this past November. Held at Amarillo’s Don Harrington Discovery Center, the competition required students in grades 5–12 to design and construct an Egg Drop Mechanism to release from a height of 20 feet, testing their engineering, math, and physics skills with a fun, real-world application.

Consolidated Nuclear Security is committed to STEM education and the Egg Drop Competition is a fun and engaging way to reach students around the area.

Read the full press release on the NNSA website.

Warhead modernization activities ensure the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile continues to meet military requirements while enhancing safety and security

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) successfully completed the B61-12 Life Extension Program (LEP) First Production Unit (FPU) on November 23, 2021.

The B61-12 LEP helps modernize America’s nuclear weapons stockpile and sustain the Nation’s air delivered nuclear deterrent capability. The nuclear security enterprise, in close coordination with the U.S. Air Force, worked together to deliver the B61-12 FPU after more than nine years of design, development, qualification, and component production.

Read the full press release on the NNSA website.

The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) announced today it has selected Nuclear Production One, LLC (NPOne) for the Management and Operating (M&O) contract for the Y-12 National Security Complex and Pantex Plant, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and Amarillo, Texas, respectively.

NPOne is a limited liability company, which consists of Fluor Federal Services, Inc. and AECOM Energy & Construction (an Amentum company).

Read the full press release on the NNSA website.