Vol. 29, No. 33 
House energy and water apps bill passes by single vote
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Budget & Policy
Senate and House NDAA next week
The Senate voted Thursday to proceed with floor debate on its version of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), with the House to follow next week. The Senate voted 84-to-14 on the motion to invoke cloture, or to initiate the process for a debate on the bill, Tuesday evening. The chamber voted 83-13 to […]
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National Laboratories
Los Alamos launches OpenAI models on Venado supercomputer
Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Venado supercomputer has started running a series of OpenAI models to complete national security research for the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, the Department of Energy announced Aug. 28. The Venado supercomputer, which DOE says is the 19th fastest supercomputer in the world, moved to a classified network earlier this year, according […]
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Delivery Systems & Nuclear Triad
Five organizations get green light on SLCM-N prototype designs
Five organizations are being tasked with developing missile prototype designs for the nuclear-armed, sea-launched cruise missile program, according to an emailed press release by the National Security Technology Accelerator. The contracting platform National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL), upon inquiry from the Exchange Monitor, said Leidos, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman were awarded as prime […]
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National Laboratories
LANL issues statement of findings for powerline project, alternatives not ‘reliable’
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) officially said alternatives to construction of a new 14-mile powerline would not be a “reliable or redundant” electrical upgrade for Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, according to its floodplain statement of findings. The document outlined alternatives, including using wind, solar, a gas turbine, and even a small […]
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Nuclear Weapons & Stockpile
Inspector General says NNSA fixed some weaknesses in unclassified cyber program
The Department of Energy, including its semi-autonomous National Nuclear Security Administration, has taken action to address weaknesses in its unclassified cybersecurity program, according to an August report by the Office of Inspector General. The report, which evaluated the program at 29 DOE locations from January 2024 through May 2025, said that programs and sites, after […]
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Budget & Policy
DNFSB makes agency fixes, but needs members, GAO finds
The Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (DNFSB) has tackled all but a few third-party recommendations to improve its culture over the past decade but suffers from a depleted board, according to a new report. Progress is tough with the five-person board probably slipping to one member, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said in its report […]
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Advanced Nuclear & SMRs
BWXT and Kairos partner up on TRISO
BWX Technologies and Kairos Power have agreed to work together to explore commercial production of tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel to supply Kairos and other customers. Under the agreement, the joint team will explore opportunities to use Kairos’s TRISO Development Lab at its Albuquerque, N.M. campus, BWXT Innovation Campus in Lynchburg, Va. and BWXT’s existing TRISO […]
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International
Wrap-up: Israel’s expanding secret nuclear weapons; IAEA at Zaporizhzhia for 3 years; defense official for Ukraine and Russia leaves
Satellite images show construction has intensified at a facility linked to Israel’s suspected nuclear weapons program, AP News said this week. The images could imply that Israel is “quietly expanding its nuclear arsenal,” the article alleged, adding Israel could face international criticism for growing a secret nuclear program while bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities. Meanwhile, Israel […]