US resumes production of material used in nuclear weapons

The US has resumed production of binary alloy at the Y-12 National Security Complex.

The material is used to make radiation cases that enclose key components in US nuclear weapons.

The country had relied on a limited stockpile made years ago for nearly two decades.

Experts at Lawrence Livermore and Los Alamos national laboratories assessed the production process and finished material before the National Nuclear Security Administration approved the restart.

The new production capacity gives the US a more sustainable supply for maintaining and modernizing its nuclear stockpile.

The change is a manufacturing milestone, not evidence that the US is expanding its nuclear arsenal.

Y-12 is also working to use materials more efficiently while meeting the needs of the weapons program.