Livermore teams honored with Defense Programs Awards of Excellence

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) recently recognized three teams with the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) Defense Programs Awards of Excellence (DPAE) for work completed during calendar year 2023. In total, 93 LLNL employees were honored for their exceptional contributions to Defense Programs.

Established in 1982, the Defense Programs Awards of Excellence are given annually to recognize significant individual and team achievements in quality, productivity, cost savings, safety or creativity in support of NNSA’s nuclear weapons program. Awards are conferred by the NNSA Office of Defense Programs following a rigorous review process across the enterprise.

“I’m truly humbled and amazed by all that our teams accomplish,” said Michael Zika, LLNL’s principal associate deputy director for Strategic Deterrence. “It’s a remarkable amount of work and of remarkable quality. The accomplishments we’re celebrating today are not just about what we deliver, but how — the teamwork and partnerships across the enterprise that ultimately provide the nation what it needs.”

David Hoagland, NNSA’s acting deputy administrator for Defense Programs, joined the awards ceremony virtually to commend award recipients.

“The teams we honor today exemplify the breadth of disciplines needed to maintain the reliability, vibrance and vigor of the stockpile at a time when schedule is paramount,” Hoagland said. “Your work showcases the tremendous creativity that exists across the enterprise and the dedication of our workforce to solving problems of crucial importance.”

The recognized accomplishments help the NNSA move faster and reach unparalleled quality when it matters most, Hoagland said. “As the national security landscape evolves, the 2023 awardees demonstrated LLNL’s continued commitment to innovation, mission delivery and scientific leadership in support of the stockpile and the nation’s strategic deterrence.”

The following awards are listed in the order they were presented.

LX-21 Development Team

For exceptional dedication and multidisciplinary teamwork in developing a revolutionary energetic material.

The LX-21 team was recognized for successfully advancing a new energetic material. Drawing on the potential of the LLM-105 molecule, the team overcame complex challenges in synthesis, binder chemistry, supply chain logistics and scale-up to rate production. Their efforts delivered a high-performance material under demanding modernization program schedules — an achievement that exemplified technical excellence and enterprise-wide collaboration.

ICARUS Team

For exceptional contributions to pit manufacturing, dramatically reducing the risk to budget and schedule for modernization programs.

The ICARUS team addressed one of the most complex challenges in the stockpile modernization mission — pit manufacturing. By applying deep physics insight and advanced data analysis, the team identified and resolved discrepancies in production data, enabling improved acceptance and quality and better efficiency, and were pivotal to achieving the First Production Unit (FPU) milestone. Their efforts exemplify the precision, urgency and ingenuity required for national security missions.

W80-4 Polymer Team

For advanced teamwork leading to the successful demonstration of additive manufacturing in support of modernization.

The W80-4 Polymer Team was recognized for advanced teamwork that led to the successful demonstration of additive manufacturing for a key component in support of stockpile modernization. In 2022, the team faced significant production challenges with a component. In response, LLNL and the Kansas City National Security Campus established a close working partnership, leading to a successful demonstration of parts that met all requirements. Their effort not only resolved key capability gaps but also redefined collaboration between design and production agencies.