BWX Technologies and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have formalised a partnership aimed at strengthening domestic uranium enrichment capability for defence purposes. The organisations recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining cooperation on the Domestic Uranium Enrichment Centrifuge Experiment, commonly known as DUECE. The initiative supports a broader effort by the Department of Energy to rebuild a reliable domestic supply of enriched uranium that can be used in national security missions. Federal officials have identified this capability as a priority as the United States seeks to reduce dependence on foreign enrichment services for sensitive defence-related materials. The agreement formalises the collaboration that has been developing around the DUECE project and establishes a framework for further research, engineering development, and the eventual deployment of the enrichment system. Commenting on the partnership, Stephen Streiffer, ORNL laboratory director, said: “This MOU solidifies our shared commitment to the DOE’s vital defence priorities by combining ORNL’s innovative centrifuge designs with BWXT’s proven industrial expertise. “Together, we’re restoring a capability the US hasn’t had since 2013 to enable a secure …