Nevada National Security Site

What Nevada National Security Site does

The Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) is a U.S. government-owned, contractor-operated national security facility located 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada, encompassing 1,360 square miles of restricted land and over 350,000 square miles of airspace. Established on December 18, 1950 as the Nevada Proving Ground, the site hosted 928 of 1,054 historical U.S. nuclear tests before evolving post-moratorium into a multi-mission high-hazard experimentation enterprise now operating under Mission Support and Test Services (MSTS), a Honeywell/Jacobs/SN3 joint venture that took over a $5 billion, 10-year NNSA Management and Operating contract on December 1, 2017. Core capabilities include stockpile stewardship (JASPER two-stage gas gun, U1a underground laboratory, Device Assembly Facility, Scorpius ECSE, Atlas and Dense Plasma Focus machines), radiological emergency response (Remote Sensing Laboratories at Nellis AFB and Joint Base Andrews, Aerial Measuring System, NEST helicopter teams, CTOS first-responder training reaching 200,000+ personnel), nonproliferation research (Source Physics Experiment), environmental management, and space nuclear power testing (NASA Kilopower).

The site's product portfolio spans 18 named programs and facilities organized around four mission pillars: stockpile science, remote sensing and aerial measurement, research and development (anchored by the Site-Directed Research and Development program and Special Technologies Laboratory), and emergency operations (NEST, CTOS, FRMAC). MSTS operates through five geographically distributed facilities in Nevada, California, New Mexico, and the National Capital Region, employing nearly 2,400 people. The underlying technology is highly specialized and capital-intensive: two-stage light gas guns for shock physics, pulsed power machines, X-ray diagnostics with patented photocathodes, UAS-mounted radiation detectors, and classified underground experimental infrastructure.

NNSS generates revenue through a single federal M&O contract administered by DOE/NNSA, with additional services performed for the Department of Defense, NASA, DOE national laboratories (Los Alamos, Lawrence Livermore, Sandia), state agencies, and a small number of international partners (Norway, France, UK, Canada, Taiwan). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and follows standard federal cost-plus contracting; the customer base is overwhelmingly governmental and effectively flows through NNSA tasking, producing a concentration profile typical of federally chartered national laboratories.

Name

Nevada National Security Site

Legal name

Nevada National Security Site

Website

https://nnss.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The Nevada National Security Site is a U.S. government-owned, 1,360-square-mile nuclear experimentation facility operated by Mission Support and Test Services for DOE/NNSA, delivering stockpile stewardship, subcritical experiments, radiological emergency response, and national security research to federal agencies, national laboratories, NASA, and select international partners under a $5 billion, 10-year management contract.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

National Security Testing Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Space Research and Technology (92711), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

akta.pro primary industry

OT Threat Detection & Monitoring (NDR/IDS for ICS) (HDADAJAF)

Keywords

• Nuclear stockpile stewardship
• Subcritical experiments
• Radiological emergency response
• National security testing
• Aerial radiation detection

Headquarters

HQ city

North Las Vegas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Contracts: The NNSS is operated under a Management and Operating contract awarded by NNSA. The contract with Mission Support and Test Services (MSTS) is valued at $5 billion over 10 years if all options are exercised. Revenue is derived from federal appropriations through DOE/NNSA for national security services.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The NNSS is a multi-mission, high-hazard experimentation facility that conducts subcritical experiments, shock physics research, and remote sensing operations to support U.S. nuclear stockpile stewardship and national security. It provides nuclear and radiological emergency response capabilities, including aerial measurement, first-responder training, and consequence management for federal agencies. The site also hosts specialized R&D programs and supports partner initiatives such as NASA's Kilopower nuclear fission testing for space exploration.

Product overview

The Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) is a multi-mission, high-hazard experimentation enterprise operated by Mission Support and Test Services for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. The site provides science- and engineering-based testing and diagnostic services supporting national security through several interconnected capabilities: stockpile stewardship including the JASPER two-stage gas gun, U1a Complex underground laboratory, and Device Assembly Facility for subcritical experiments; emergency response via the Remote Sensing Laboratory, Aerial Measuring System, NEST helicopter teams, and Counterterrorism Operations Support (CTOS) training; research and development through the Site-Directed Research and Development program and Special Technologies Laboratory; and environmental management programs. Major modernization projects include the Forward Area Mission Complex and Scorpius accelerator for enhanced subcritical experiment capabilities. The site also supports NASA's Kilopower nuclear fission testing for space exploration and conducts the Source Physics Experiment for nuclear explosion detection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Joint Actinide Shock Physics Experimental Research (JASPER) A two-stage gas gun facility used to study plutonium properties under extreme pressures and temperatures in support of the NNSA-funded JASPER program and the U.S. nuclear strategic deterrent.
• U1a Complex Underground laboratory used for subcritical experiments as part of the nation's stockpile stewardship program.
• Device Assembly Facility (DAF) The site's most secure facility supporting subcritical experiments, special nuclear material staging, and emergency response training.
• Remote Sensing Laboratory (RSL) Provides responsive aerial measurements to detect, analyze, and track radioactive material before and during emergencies, with locations at Nellis AFB and Joint Base Andrews.
• Aerial Measuring System (AMS) Aerial radiological detection system mounted on helicopters (Bell 412) used for detecting and tracking radioactive material during emergencies and exercises.
• Scorpius (Enhanced Capabilities for Subcritical Experiments) ECSE project designed to take X-ray images of subcritical experiments as they implode, generating data to validate stockpile modeling codes.
• C3 Launcher (ShARC Launcher) Single-stage gas launcher experimental platform with diagnostics for shock physics experiments; conducted over 400 experiments.
• Nuclear Emergency Support Team (NEST) Nuclear emergency response capabilities including helicopter assets (AW139) for radiological security and threat response across the nation.
• Counterterrorism Operations Support (CTOS) Training program for first responders that has trained over 200,000 first responders to secure major events including World Cup games.
• Source Physics Experiment (SPE) Multiphase campaign using buried explosives to generate seismic and acoustic signatures to advance detection capabilities for underground nuclear explosions.
• Kilopower Test Program NASA-DOE partnership hosted at NNSS to test nuclear fission power technology for potential use on Mars and lunar surface missions.
• Site-Directed Research and Development (SDRD) Premier science and technology program serving as the primary source of discovery and innovation for the site's national security missions.
• Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center (FRMAC) Provides radiological monitoring and assessment capabilities for national emergency response.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200,000+ first responders trained through CTOS program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature11 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• H3D, Inc.coreTechnology or Integration · 1 September 2017Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to test H3D's high-efficiency radiation detector on unmanned aerial systems. First test flights completed in September at Unmanned Systems Inc. facility in Montana with data analysis finalized in December. Partnership enhances nuclear emergency response capabilities.
• Los Alamos National LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on Source Physics Experiment campaign designed to advance detection of underground nuclear explosions. LANL scientists collected information and measured signatures from experiments.
• Lawrence Livermore National LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Source Physics Experiment and various stockpile stewardship projects including Scorpius ECSE machine development and Joint Actinide Shock Physics Experimental Research (JASPER) program leadership.
• Sandia National LaboratoriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Source Physics Experiment, Scorpius engineering design, and various stockpile stewardship projects including Clean Slate cleanup activities at Tonopah Test Range.
• Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint aerial radiation detection surveys comparing responses of two agencies' detection systems and data processing techniques. Surveys flown over natural background areas near Las Vegas and contaminated areas at NNSS. Also hosted advanced data analysis workshop.
• French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst AMS international partnership conducted in 2007 with CEA Helinuc. Another joint survey conducted with IRSN in 2017.
• British Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint survey conducted in 2010 as part of AMS international technical exchange program.
• Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint survey conducted in 2014 as part of international radiological detection collaboration.
• Taiwan Atomic Energy CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipated in advanced data analysis workshop hosted by NNSS alongside other international partners.
• Virginia TechminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to demonstrate UAS radiation detection capabilities using unmanned aircraft systems.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA partnered with NNSS for Kilopower reactor testing - a fission power technology project for potential Mars surface missions. NNSS serves as host for experiments testing space nuclear power systems.
• Los Alamos National Laboratory (Kilopower)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided reactor core and engineering expertise for Kilopower testing project in collaboration with NASA.
• Y12 National Security ComplexminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided reactor core for Kilopower space fission power testing.
• U.S. Air ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAir Force conducts activities on Tonopah Test Range and collaborates on various national security experiments including emergency response exercises.
• U.S. NavyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNavy midshipmen intern at NNSS and collaborate on various experiments including aerial measuring system operations.
• U.S. ArmyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArmy cadets from West Point intern at NNSS; Army conducts various training exercises at NNSS facilities.
• FIRST NevadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNNSS invests in next generation of STEAM leaders through FIRST Nevada robotics programs.
• University of Nevada, RenominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Source Physics Experiment and various research projects including military intern programs.
• Clark County School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTEM education partnership including Nevada Science Bowl hosting and field trips for hundreds of students.
• NavarrominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEM Nevada Program cleanup contractor working on environmental remediation at NNSS and Clean Slate sites.
• Honeywell International Inc.coreOthersLead company in MSTS joint venture managing NNSS operations under $5 billion NNSA contract.
• Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.coreOthersPartner company in MSTS joint venture managing NNSS operations under $5 billion NNSA contract.
• Stoller Newport News Nuclear, Inc. (SN3)coreOthersPartner company in MSTS joint venture managing NNSS operations under $5 billion NNSA contract.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory: NNSA laboratory leading JASPER operations at NNSS and core collaborator on Scorpius ECSE and stockpile stewardship work; shares mission of validating U.S. nuclear weapons performance without explosive testing.
• Los Alamos National Laboratory: NNSA-owned national laboratory that co-designs and executes stockpile stewardship experiments with NNSS; one of NNSS's three core National Lab partners for programs like Source Physics Experiment and JASPER.
• Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: DOE Office of Science national laboratory with comparable multi-mission national-security and applied-science portfolio, sharing many federal sponsor relationships and scientific overlap in radiological and remote-sensing work.
• Pantex Plant: NNSA weapon assembly/disassembly facility operating under a similar Management & Operating contracting model with overlapping DOE/NNSA customer set and nuclear weapons mission scope.
• Savannah River Site: DOE nuclear site with comparable high-hazard national-security operations, tritium and special nuclear material stewardship, and large-scale environmental remediation responsibilities similar to NNSS's legacy cleanup mission.
• Y-12 National Security Complex: NNSA special-nuclear-material site that supplied the Kilopower reactor core for testing at NNSS; a directly comparable NNSA national-security production and R&D facility working on nuclear materials, security, and stockpile support.
• Sandia National Laboratories: NNSA laboratory collaborating with NNSS on Source Physics Experiment, Scorpius engineering, and Clean Slate cleanup; a peer national-security R&D enterprise with overlapping physics and engineering capabilities.
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory: DOE Office of Science multi-program national laboratory with extensive nuclear and radiological research and national-security work, providing a parallel model of large-scale government-owned, contractor-operated R&D infrastructure.
• Idaho National Laboratory: DOE lead nuclear energy and national-security laboratory operating specialized experimental and emergency-response infrastructure analogous to NNSS, with overlapping DOE/NNSA customer base and remote-handling/hot-cell capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Argonne National Laboratory: DOE Office of Science multi-program national laboratory with broader basic-research orientation than NNSS, but shares a comparable federal contractor-operated operating model, large scientific workforce, and national-security-adjacent programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/NNSANevada
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NNSANevada
• Facebookfacebook.com/NNSANevada
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nevada-national-security-sites
• Instagraminstagram.com/NNSANevada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Nevada National Security Site