Bechtel is involved in the management and operation of U.S. nuclear weapons facilities and is building the launch system for the Sentinel, the new U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile.
Nuclear weapons
Bechtel is part of the Northrop Grumman-led team that is building the Sentinel, the new U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile.[i] Bechtel is responsible for designing and building the launch systems and new missile silos.[ii]
Bechtel is also a team member of the Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC consortium, which has the management and operation contract for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the lead design agency for the life extension program for the W80-4 cruise missile (Long Range Standoff Weapon) warhead and the modification program for the W87-1 Sentinel warhead.[iii] The contract was originally awarded in May 2007, and currently runs until at least September 2031, with a potential value of $93.3 billion.[iv]
Bechtel furthermore takes part in Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS), LLC, which operates the Y-12 National Security Complex, where U.S. nuclear weapons are assembled.[v] The $50 billion contract runs until at least September 2027.[vi]
Bechtel also holds a contract for naval nuclear propulsion for the U.S. Columbia class submarines, running through 2034 with an estimated value of $2.4 billion.[vii]
[i] ’Northrop expands team for program to replace US Air Force ICBMs’. DefenseNews, 25 February 2020. Available at: Northrop expands team for program to replace US Air Force ICBMs; Modernizing the Nation’s Aging Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) System (no date)| Bechtel. Available at: Sentinel | Bechtel (Accessed: 25 August 2025).
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] ‘Fiscal Year 2024 Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan’, National Nuclear Security Administration (2023), pp. F-6 - F-7. Available at: FY24SSMP_FINAL_NOVEMBER_2023_0.pdf (energy.gov).
[iv] CONTRACT to LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY.| USAspending, 9 May 2007. Available at: https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_DEAC5207NA27344_8900_-NONE-_-NONE- (Accessed: 25 August 2025).
[v] ‘Fiscal Year 2024 Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan’, National Nuclear Security Administration (2023), pp. F-61 – F-64. Available at: FY24SSMP_FINAL_NOVEMBER_2023_0.pdf (energy.gov).
[vi] NNSA Production Office contract (2014) Energy.gov. Available at: https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/nnsa-production-office-contract (Accessed: 8 April 2026);
Y-12 National Security Complex (no date) | Bechtel. Available at: Y-12 National Security Complex - Bechtel (Accessed: 8 April 2026);
CONTRACT to CONSOLIDATED NUCLEAR SECURITY LLC| USAspending, 8 January 2013. Available at: https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_DENA0001942_8900_-NONE-_-NONE- (Accessed: 23 October 2024); ‘NNSA to extend most expiring contracts, starting with Y-12; Pantex transition a month late’, Exchange Monitor, 1 February 2024. Available at: NNSA to extend most expiring contracts, starting with Y-12; Pantex transition a month late - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1.
[vii] CONTRACT to BECHTEL PLANT MACHINERY, INC. | USAspending’, 12 December 2024. Available at: https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_N0002424C2115_9700_-NONE-_-NONE- (Accessed: 7 April 2026); Contracts for December 21, 2023 (2023) U.S. Department of Defense. Available at: Contracts For Dec. 21, 2023 > U.S. Department of War > Contract | U.S. Department of War (Accessed: 7 April 2026).
Last updated: 2026-06-08 14:19:30