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Weapon Stockpile Modernization (Q Division)

Ensuring tomorrow’s U.S. nuclear deterrent through stockpile life extensions, while maintaining and advancing knowledge and capabilities

The Weapon Stockpile Modernization (Q) Division provides the system engineering, program management, component technology development, and system and sub-system testing necessary to field modernizations authorized to extend the life of Los Alamos National Laboratory-designed weapons in the active United States nuclear stockpile.

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Pete Pittman, a mechanical engineer specializing in weapons systems, components testing production and design, describes a new centrifuge, which is one of several environmental test capabilities used on weapons systems and components in the Weapons Test Engineering Group.

Currently, these modernizations are directed at the B61 and the W88 programs. This role demands expertise in design, engineering, fabrication and testing of multiple components using state-of-the-art computational simulation tools and engineering test facilities.

The Division works closely with several of the production facilities across the nuclear security complex, as well as with customers in the U.S. Navy and US Air Force.

The Division is also tasked with anticipating a broad range of possible future modernizations and with developing the various technology advances that might be required.

  • Q-5: High Explosives Science and Technology

    High Explosives Science and Technology (Q-5) serves the Laboratory and the nation by providing the knowledge base in high explosives (HEs) for the Nuclear Weapons Program and other critical national security areas.

  • Q-6: Detonation Science and Technology

    Detonation Science and Technology (Q-6) is the design authority for primary detonators on current Los Alamos National Laboratory nuclear weapon stockpile systems. We provide engineering and design support to the production plants during production of War Reserve detonators, and then we assess and report on surveillance data for each stockpile detonator.

  • Q-7: Gas Transfer Systems

    The Gas Transfer Systems (Q-7) group provides safe and reliable gas transfer systems engineering support for the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile. The group is responsible for all aspects of gas transfer systems engineering at Los Alamos National Laboratory from start to finish.

  • Q-18: Advanced Systems Development

    The Advanced System Development Group (Q-18) develops system and sub-system technology that aims to improve weapon system safety and use-control performance, design advanced systems that reduce age-related degradation, improve reliability, and reduce system lifecycle maintenance.

  • Q-20: W93/Mk7 Systems Development and Realization

    W93/Mk7 Systems Development and Realization (Q-20), defines, develops, and fields the warhead system for the newest Navy ballistic missile weapon program. We support the DoD/Navy SSP and DOE/NNSA customers in defining the technical and programmatic requirements and by designing a solution to meet the requirements.