BWXT Unveils Innovation Campus to Accelerate Advanced Nuclear Technology Development
BWX Technologies, has officially announced the grand opening of the BWXT Innovation Campus, a cutting-edge 170,000-square-foot facility dedicated to advancing nuclear technologies for applications across land, sea, and space. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, this new campus serves as the headquarters for BWXT’s Advanced Technologies business unit and is home to more than 350 specialized team members. These experts will leverage the campus’s advanced laboratories and workspaces to design, build, and test next-generation nuclear systems tailored for use by NASA, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Defense (DoD), national research laboratories, state governments, and commercial enterprises.
A Milestone for Virginia’s Leadership in Nuclear Innovation
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, who addressed BWXT employees and distinguished guests during the ribbon-cutting event. The governor emphasized the significance of the Innovation Campus for both Virginia and the broader United States, stating:
“The opening of the BWXT Innovation Campus in Lynchburg highlights Virginia’s leadership in advanced nuclear technologies and our commitment to fostering innovation that drives economic growth and contributes to America’s national security. As we embrace the future of nuclear energy, space exploration, and defense, Virginia remains proud to be home to the brilliant minds at BWXT who are developing cutting-edge solutions that will shape the industries of tomorrow.”
Investments and Job Growth in Lynchburg
The establishment of the Innovation Campus aligns with BWXT’s long-term strategy to consolidate and expand its Advanced Technologies operations in Lynchburg. In 2021, the company received local and state tax grants worth up to $2 million, contingent on a $65 million investment target and the hiring of 97 additional employees. BWXT has since exceeded those expectations, hiring an additional 115 employees and making substantial progress on infrastructure development.
As of late 2024, BWXT has invested $51 million in the Innovation Campus and has received $227,000 in tax incentives. A further grant payment from the Commonwealth of Virginia is anticipated in the second quarter of 2026. This facility is poised to act as a catalyst for further economic development in the region, fostering job creation and attracting skilled talent to Virginia’s growing nuclear sector.
BWXT President and CEO Rex Geveden underscored the long-term value of the Innovation Campus, stating:
“This facility is a long-term investment, not only in BWXT but in Lynchburg and in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Here in this Innovation Campus, our Advanced Technologies team is undertaking projects that are pushing the boundaries of nuclear technology and the domains of application. We are very excited for the future we are creating here.”
Local officials also lauded the initiative, with Campbell County Administrator Frank Rogers adding:
“BWXT is a vital partner in our region’s prosperity. Campbell County is pleased to support this additional investment in their facility and operations. We look forward to continued innovation and expansion in the years to come as BWXT continues to call Campbell County home.”
Pioneering Advanced Nuclear Technologies
One of the most groundbreaking projects underway at the Innovation Campus is the development of a demonstration mobile microreactor for the Department of Defense, known as Project Pele. Under the sponsorship of the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), this BWXT-designed transportable microreactor is engineered to provide clean, reliable energy for mission-critical power demands.
Dr. Jeff Waksman, the SCO’s program manager for Project Pele, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating:
“The origins of America’s first Generation IV nuclear reactor are the men and women who are bending metal and producing real hardware. Through collaborative, efficient teamwork among the DoD, the DOE laboratories, and our partners in industry, we are seeing in real time that Project Pele has the promise to provide a reliable, sustainable, resilient, and safe power source for the American warfighter without burdening them with a long logistics tail.”
Expanding Nuclear Applications for Defense, Space, and Industry
The BWXT Innovation Campus is uniquely positioned to lead the transformation of nuclear technology across multiple sectors. Joe Miller, President of BWXT Advanced Technologies, reinforced this mission by inviting new partnerships and projects:
“The message we’re sending here today is that we are building and delivering new nuclear technology for defense, space, and commercial customers. Our products will revolutionize how nuclear is deployed. Bring us your ideas, the projects that you want to bring to life, and we will put a solution in your hands from this one-of-a-kind facility.”
The Advanced Technologies team is already at the forefront of several high-profile nuclear initiatives. Since 2017, BWXT has played a critical role in NASA and the DOE’s Nuclear Thermal Propulsion program, particularly in fuel design and engineering. The company continues to support these efforts today, pushing the boundaries of nuclear-based propulsion systems that could one day enable long-duration space travel.
In 2023, BWXT was selected as part of a joint venture to deliver the fuel and reactor for the DARPA DRACO (Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations) program. This initiative, a collaboration between DARPA and NASA, aims to develop a nuclear thermal rocket engine capable of powering an in-space demonstration. The success of DRACO could mark a significant shift in space travel, offering propulsion systems far more efficient than traditional chemical rockets.
The Future of Advanced Nuclear Reactors
BWXT is also making strides in terrestrial nuclear technology with the development of the BWXT Advanced Nuclear Reactor (BANR), a high-temperature gas reactor designed to produce 50 megawatts of thermal power (MWt) using TRISO fuel. This compact reactor is engineered for mobility, making it transportable by rail, ship, or truck. Such versatility could prove invaluable in remote locations, industrial applications, and emergency response scenarios.
As part of its strategy to commercialize the BANR, BWXT recently signed a letter of intent with Tata Chemicals Soda Ash Partners LLC to explore deploying up to eight BANRs at a mining site in Wyoming. If successful, this initiative could demonstrate the potential of small modular reactors in providing sustainable, high-output energy for industrial applications.
The opening of the BWXT Innovation Campus represents a pivotal moment for the company, the state of Virginia, and the broader nuclear technology landscape. By investing in cutting-edge research and development, BWXT is positioning itself at the forefront of nuclear innovation, contributing to national security, space exploration, and the commercial energy sector.
As BWXT continues to break new ground in nuclear science, its Innovation Campus is set to serve as a beacon of technological advancement. With a highly skilled workforce, state-of-the-art facilities, and an ambitious research agenda, BWXT is paving the way for a new era of nuclear technology that promises to redefine how energy is generated and utilized across multiple domains.
