NNSA NEWS RELEASE

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) have approved a path forward for a project that will increase the laser energy available to the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). This advancement was expedited by key regulatory changes made in March 2025 by U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, which eased construction project burdens at National Labs.

The Enhanced Fusion Yield Capability (EYC) project is a critical upgrade designed to support NNSA’s nuclear stockpile modernization mission. The EYC project will raise NIF’s peak recurring laser energy from 2.2 megajoules to 2.6 megajoules. That increased laser energy will significantly raise NIF’s fusion yields, providing more relevant conditions to assess and modernize the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile.

“The United States holds a decisive scientific advantage over our adversaries,” said NNSA Administrator Brandon Williams. “Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Wright, we are restoring common sense to policymaking, cutting unnecessary bureaucracy, and accelerating the modernization of our nuclear stockpile. Efforts like NIF demonstrate that America leads the world, and this project will further strengthen our understanding and confidence in our nuclear deterrent.”