NNSA Administrator Hruby's remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Advanced Fabrication Facility at the Pantex Plant

Thank you, Teresa. It is my pleasure to be here today for my first visit at Pantex as the NNSA Administrator. 

We are here today to kick off construction of the Advanced Fabrication Facility. This $17 million, 20,000 square foot project represents another step forward in our commitment to revitalize our capabilities and build a modern infrastructure capable of supporting a flexible enterprise. I am delighted to take part in this important event.

The Advanced Fabrication Facility will relocate additive and subtractive machining operations from a pair of buildings that are well past retirement age to a 21st century facility capable of delivering technologically advanced manufacturing in support of the Pantex mission for the next 50 years.

This will allow Pantex to reclaim critical high explosives machining capacity to support Life Extension Programs, Enhanced Surveillance Campaign, and Plant Directed Research and Development.

While our facilities primarily serve to bolster our science and manufacturing capabilities, they are also an excellent tool for assisting and improving our most important asset, our workforce. The AFF will help recruit and retain the next generation of workers and enhances Pantex’s role in the enterprise as the High Explosives Center of Excellence.

Thank you again, everyone, for being here today. Please join me in breaking ground for the AFF.