Fact Sheet on Naval Used Nuclear Fuel
The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program's (NNPP) statutes, 10 U.S.C. 6102 and 50 U.S.C. 2406, including codification of Presidential Executive Order 12344, set forth the Program's total responsibility for all aspects of the Navy's nuclear propulsion, including research, design, construction, testing, operation, maintenance, and ultimate disposition of naval nuclear propulsion plants. The NNPP's responsibilities includes all related facilities, radiological controls, environmental safety, and health matters. Consistent with these responsibilities, the NNPP maintains the facilities, equipment, and procedures necessary to safely manage, examine, process, and package naval used nuclear fuel (UNF) for road-ready dry storage and eventual disposal in a federal geologic repository.
The design of naval fuel is classified and must be protected throughout its lifecycle.
As of April 2026, the total amount of naval UNF is about 42 metric tons heavy metal (MTHM)
The heavy metal is approximately 99% uranium and approximately 1% transuranic isotopes.
Naval UNF contains highly enriched uranium (approximate assay of 75% U235). Fuel loading, assay, and other features vary from fuel assembly to fuel assembly.
Most of the non-fissile uranium in naval UNF is U236.
The inventory of naval UNF includes a wide variety of fuel assembly configurations.
Naval fuel assemblies are solid metal with weights ranging from a few hundred pounds to over a ton. Almost all of this weight is structural, non-fuel, material (e.g., zircaloy).
As a result of ongoing defueling and refueling of naval reactors, the NNPP is projected to generate 1 MTHM of naval UNF per year on average.
Naval UNF is transported from shipyards by rail to the Naval Reactors Facility (NRF) on the Idaho National Laboratory for examination, processing, and packaging for final disposition.
More than 80% of the naval UNF at NRF has been packaged into sealed stainless-steel canisters suitable for transportation and geologic disposal.
Naval UNF canisters are 66 inches in diameter and come in two sizes for height: 210.5 inches (long) and 185.5 inches (short). As of April 2026, the NNPP is loading its 214th canister.
Canister fuel loading varies. On average, each canister contains about 0.15 MTHM.
Total allowable canister cargo weight ranges from 35,000-75,000 lbs. This weight includes the baskets and spacers needed to keep the fuel from moving within the canister.
The maximum weight of a loaded canister ranges from 76,000 lbs. to 93,000 lbs.
Loaded canisters are stored in reinforced concrete overpacks, which have a 155-inch outer diameter, come in two heights (242.2 inches, 217.5 inches), and weigh roughly 350,000 lbs (empty).
The NNPP maintains equipment (crawlers, air pallets) to move loaded overpacks within NRF.
The NNPP has built and maintained the facilities needed to transfer canisters from concrete overpacks to a shielded metal cask for rail transport to a receiving facility.
The M-290 shipping container is the shielded metal cask planned for rail transport of naval UNF from NRF; the max loaded weight of the M-290 shipping container is about 522,000 lbs.
Equipment to unload naval UNF from the canisters exists, including equipment to open a canister and the grapples used to pick up the various fuel items.
Additional details regarding naval UNF can be found in the Yucca Mountain Safety Analysis Report (DOE/RW-0573, Rev. 0), Section 1.5.1.4 (Naval Spent Fuel) and Table 1.5.1-32 (Radionuclide Inventory for a Representative Naval SNF Canister 5 Years after Reactor Shutdown). https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML0907/ML090700889.pdf Additional background regarding the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program can be found at: https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/articles/naval-reactors-annual-reports.
Background
The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP) is responsible for all aspects of the Navy's nuclear propulsion, including research, design, construction, testing, operation, maintenance, and ultimate disposition of naval nuclear propulsion plants.
This program is governed by statutes 10 U.S.C. §§ 6102 and 50 U.S.C. §§ 2406 and includes the management of facilities, radiological controls, environmental safety, and health matters. The NNPP maintains the necessary facilities and procedures to safely manage, examine, process, and package naval used nuclear fuel (UNF) for dry storage and eventual disposal in a federal geologic repository.
Work Details
The contractor will be responsible for the following tasks related to naval used nuclear fuel (UNF):
- Manage the design of naval fuel which is classified and must be protected throughout its lifecycle.
- Handle approximately 42 metric tons heavy metal (MTHM) of naval UNF as of April 2026, which consists of about 99% uranium and approximately 1% transuranic isotopes.
- Process highly enriched uranium contained in naval UNF with an approximate assay of 75% U235.
- Manage a variety of fuel assembly configurations that include solid metal assemblies weighing from a few hundred pounds to over a ton.
- Projected generation of 1 MTHM of naval UNF per year due to ongoing defueling and refueling operations.
- Transport naval UNF from shipyards by rail to the Naval Reactors Facility (NRF) at Idaho National Laboratory for examination and packaging.
- Package over 80% of naval UNF into sealed stainless-steel canisters suitable for transportation and geologic disposal. Canisters are 66 inches in diameter with varying heights (210.5 inches long or 185.5 inches short), with an average canister containing about 0.15 MTHM.
- Ensure total allowable canister cargo weight ranges from 35,000-75,000 lbs., including baskets and spacers to secure fuel during transport.
- Store loaded canisters in reinforced concrete overpacks weighing roughly 350,000 lbs empty with dimensions including a 155-inch outer diameter.
- Maintain equipment such as crawlers and air pallets for moving loaded overpacks within NRF.
- Transfer canisters from concrete overpacks to shielded metal casks (M-290 shipping container) for rail transport; max loaded weight is about 522,000 lbs.
Period of Performance
The geographic location(s) the contract will be performed (if provided)
Place of Performance
The primary location for performance will be at the Naval Reactors Facility (NRF) on the Idaho National Laboratory.
Bidder Requirements
Bidders must have expertise in handling classified materials related to nuclear fuel management. Specific qualifications may include security clearances appropriate for access to classified information regarding naval fuel designs.
Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
This opportunity appears to have a confirmed incumbent and/or closely related prior contract based on the award 89233018CNR000004 to Fluor Marine Propulsion (valued at $18,500,250,000) for management and operation of the Naval Nuclear Laboratory and Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program support. The prior work included nuclear materials characterization and testing, waste characterization and disposal, environmental investigation/remediation, and fabrication/testing of specimens—activities that align with ongoing requirements to safely examine, process, and package naval used nuclear fuel at the Naval Reactors Facility. The current scope’s emphasis on handling classified naval fuel design information and managing UNF processing/packaging functions appears consistent with a continuation of NNPP/NNL operational support functions supporting nuclear fuel lifecycle activities.
