Research lab · United States
HQ United States
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a DOE/NNSA design laboratory operated by Triad National Security, LLC.
NNSA identifies its responsibilities in nuclear weapons safety and reliability and capabilities in neutron scattering, enhanced surveillance, radiography, and plutonium science and engineering. LANSCE includes separately named neutron, radiography, and isotope production facilities. Triad’s current contract identifier is 89233218CNA000001; the older DE-AC52-06NA25396 identifier belongs to the prior operator contract.
Annual lab budget · FY2025
$5,280,000,000
LANL-reported annual budget; not a contract ceiling or total NNSA appropriation.
FY25 economic impact | LANL ↗DoD-funded recipient obligations · FY2025
$267,408,680.42
USAspending DoD-funded obligations to Triad (UEI X7WUS5LRBQU3); not total lab funding or budget.
Triad National Security, LLC · 89233218CNA000001
Current Triad contract and current end date per NNSA 2026 table. DE-AC52-06NA25396 is the prior LANS contract, not Triad’s identifier; no ceiling established.
Los Alamos contract | NNSA ↗Historical research accelerator flown in July 1989 under the Beam Experiments Aboard Rocket project. Investigated particle-beam propagation for possible missile defense; an experimental apparatus, not an operational or commercially available weapon. Transferred to the Smithsonian in 2006.
Newest unveiled first. Open a system for its milestone timeline, components and sources.
| Technology | Role | Maturity | TRL | Notes | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced manufacturing and materials | Researcher | — | — | Laboratory research capability; not a claim of a commercial product or fielded system. | Reported |
| Particle accelerators and beam science | Researcher | — | — | The cited institution source explicitly documents this capability. | Confirmed |
| Particle beams | Developer | — | — | Historical research attribution: BEAR space experiment, July 1989. This connection does not establish a current commercial supplier or deployed weapon. | Confirmed |
Maturity and TRL describe this organization's work; the field-wide maturity is on each technology's page.
| Facility | Kind | Location | Work | Status | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isotope Production Facility (IPF) | Lab | Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States | — | Operating | Confirmed |
| Los Alamos Neutron Science Center | Lab | Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States | Accelerator-based user facility supporting neutron science, proton radiography, nuclear physics, and isotope production. Source ↗ | Operating | Reported |
| Lujan Center | Lab | Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States | Moderated neutron source supporting low-energy nuclear science measurements, distinct from the unmoderated higher-energy source at Weapons Neutron Research. Source ↗ | Operating | Confirmed |
| Proton Radiography | Lab | Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States | — | Operating | Confirmed |
| Ultracold Neutrons (UCN) | Lab | Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States | — | Operating | Confirmed |
| Weapons Neutron Research (WNR) | Lab | Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States | — | Operating | Confirmed |
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Apr 22, 2025 · Supports Organization · institution.operator
“is operated by Triad National Security, LLC for the National Nuclear Security Administration”
U.S. Department of Energy · Supports Organization · description
“Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), established in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Project, is a premier multidisciplinary research institution focused on national security science,”
National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution · Supports Organization, Organization technology, System, System · system technology:directed-energy-particle-beams
“This low power neutral particle beam (NPB) accelerator developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory was one of several directed energy weapons investigated by the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization for possible use in missile defense.”
Supports Organization technology · research
“Emphasize materials synthesis, processing, properties, and performance through an integrated suite of deliverables”
Los Alamos National Laboratory · Supports Facility · documented capability, location, or facility, Organization · organization mission and description, Organization technology · documented capability, location, or facility
“LANSCE neutron research facilities include the Lujan Center, Proton Radiography, Isotope Production Facility, Ultracold Neutrons, and the Weapons Neutrons Research Facility.”
Los Alamos National Laboratory · Supports Facility · facility, Organization · description
“The Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) combines civilian and national security research capabilities by advancing our understanding of complex materials, nuclear physics, and energy security.”
National Nuclear Security Administration · Supports Facility · documented geography or facility relationship, Organization · organization mission and description
“LANL is operated by Triad National Security, LLC, and located in Los Alamos, New Mexico.”
Each fact on this page is attached to the sources that support it. Archived copies are linked when we keep one.