Continuing its longtime position as a supplier of nuclear fuel for submarines and aircraft carriers, Babcock & Wilcox announced last week it has won a $114.7 million contract with the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.
B & W’s Erwin, Tenn.-based subsidiary Nuclear Fuel Services manufactures the fuel. Unlike the uranium oxide fuel in civilian reactors, the uranium that powers the Navy’s pressurized water reactors is alloyed with zirconium or aluminum and is highly enriched, according to the World Nuclear Association.
“Manufacture of naval nuclear fuel is a process developed by and unique to NFS. We are pleased with the continuation of our agreement with the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and our ability to contribute to the security of our nation," NFS President Joseph G. Henry said in a release announcing the contract.