Dynamic Experimentation (DX) Division Leader Mary Hockaday (top photo, at podium) helped break ground Wednesday for a new detonator manufacturing facility at Technical Area 22. Pictured behind Hockaday is Derrick Montoya of Detonator Technology (DX-1), and to her left are Pradip Badheka of NNSA's Office of Los Alamos Site Operations and Rebecca Chamberlin of the Chemistry Division (C). The 4,500-square-foot High-Power Detonator Facility will have more floor space dedicated to manufacturing detonators for the stockpile, which is key to maintaining required quality. The new production facility, scheduled for completion in early 2004, also will provide needed upgrades and additional space for storage and shipping and handling. Photo by LeRoy N. Sanchez, Public Affairs
| The contractor for the new building is Michael S. Rich Contractors of Albuquerque and estimated cost is $3.3 million for design and construction. At right is an architect's rendering of the building. |  |