BWX Technologies, Inc. announced October 24 the award of a U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program contract totaling approximately $300 million for the manufacture of naval nuclear reactor fuel.
Under this contract, BWXT subsidiary Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc., located in Erwin, Tennessee, will manufacture and deliver fuel for the Naval Reactors Program. BWXT fuel and reactors power the U.S. Navy’s Ohio, Virginia, Seawolf and Los Angeles class submarines, as well as the Nimitz and Ford class aircraft carriers. BWXT fuel and reactors will also power the Navy’s Columbia-class submarines.
When production of fuel is complete, it is shipped to BWXT’s facility near Lynchburg, Virginia for final installation into the naval reactors that BWXT manufactures. The reactors for submarines being developed and built today are designed to last for the life of the ship, and reactors for aircraft carriers are designed to be refueled only once during the life of the ship.
“BWXT has a trusted relationship with Naval Reactors to provide reliable power for the nuclear navy, and it’s a mission that our company and our employees see as vital for national security,” said Sharon Smoot, president of BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc. “Naval Reactors is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and BWXT remains committed to providing our customer with the highest-quality components and support activities for many years to come.”
Work under this contract has already commenced, with completion targeted for mid-2025.