BWXT Nuclear Operations Group has been granted a deal valued at around $1 billion to build naval nuclear reactor parts for the US Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, the company disclosed on Monday.
BWXT will manufacture key components for the nuclear reactor of the US Navy's Ford Class Carrier, which will be constructed at four BWXT facilities in Ohio, Ohio, and Indiana.
The $1 billion contract is on top of the nearly $3 billion in submarine reactor component and fuel manufacturing deals announced in 2019. The US Navy is expected to grant another deal option later this year, subject to approval by the US House of Representatives.
BWXT President and Chief Executive Officer Rex Geveden said they are proud to provide nuclear propulsion systems that will enable the US Navy "to safeguard freedom around the world."
Geveden added the company appreciates the US Navy's "continued trust in our employees and our capability to undertake this crucial work." The deal brings BWXT's naval nuclear propulsion contracts up to almost $4 billion.
The US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has also selected BWXT to support its non-proliferation fuel program.
The company has also recently been granted a $3.6 million deal to manufacture the NNSA's High Assay Low Enriched Uranium fuel that will support the development of high-performance US research propulsions from the existing utility of highly-enriched uranium, a news release disclosed.
BWXT has been operating independently and in collaboration with NNSA since 2006 to develop the US Navy's uranium reactor system that is designed to enhance energy propulsion performance while reducing proliferation risk.
Joel W. Duling, BWXT Nuclear Operations Group, Inc. president, said they are excited to be chosen by the NNSA to continue their "long and successful record of developing research reactors." The reactor development, Duling said, represents the intersection of BWXT's the objective of leading nuclear innovation and enhancing global security.
BWXT has consistently supplied components and assemblies for fuel and nuclear research for decades and is the only supplier of fuel-bearing parts for reactors at national science laboratories, colleges and universities in North America.
In October 2019, the United States Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program awarded an $807 million contract to BWXT Nuclear Operations, which was in addition to a deal with the program on new ventures totaling more than $2.1 billion, including future-year options.
The company has around 6,600 personnel across 12 major operating plants in Canada and the US. BXWT also provides management and operations for the US Department of Energy and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
