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{{Organization
|OrganizationName=Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
|OrganizationType=Research and Development Agencies (Sub-organization)
|Mission=LLNL focuses on national security, applying science and technology to ensure the safety, security, and reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent, addressing energy challenges, and advancing bioscience, while tackling global security issues.
|ParentOrganization=National Nuclear Security Administration
|TopOrganization=Department of Energy
|Employees=7000
|Budget=$2.5 billion [2025 FY]
|OrganizationExecutive=Director
|Services=Nuclear Weapons Stewardship; Energy Research; High Performance Computing; Bioscience; National Security
|HeadquartersLocation=37.68031, -121.71628
|HeadquartersAddress=7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550
|Website=https://www.llnl.gov
}}
{{Short description|Federal research center in Livermore, California, US}}
{{Short description|Federal research center in Livermore, California, US}}
{{External links|date=November 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}
{{Infobox laboratory
| name          = Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
| motto          = "Science and technology on a mission"
| image          =IMAG3049-livermore-lab cropped.jpg
| established    = {{start date and age|1952|9|2}}
| director      = [[Kimberly S. Budil]]
| city          = [[Livermore, California]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| budget        = [[United States dollar|$]]2.7 billion
| type          = Nuclear and basic science
| staff          = 8,968
| campus        = {{convert|1|sqmi|km2}}
| coordinates    = {{coord|37.69|-121.71|type:landmark_region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
|location_map    = USA California
| operating_agency = Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
| website        = {{URL|https://www.llnl.gov|llnl.gov}}
|logo=Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory logo.svg|caption=Aerial view of the square LLNL campus (center) from the south. On the south side of LLNL is [[Sandia National Laboratories]] and to the north is downtown [[Livermore, California|Livermore]]}}


'''Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory''' ('''LLNL''') is a [[Federally funded research and development centers|federally funded research and development center]] in [[California]], [[United States]]. Originally established in 1952, the laboratory now is sponsored by the [[United States Department of Energy]] and administered privately by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Master Government List of Federally Funded R&D Centers {{!}} NCSES {{!}} NSF |url=https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/ffrdclist/ |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=nsf.gov}}</ref>
'''Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory''' ('''LLNL''') is a [[Federally funded research and development centers|federally funded research and development center]] in [[California]], [[United States]]. Originally established in 1952, the laboratory now is sponsored by the [[United States Department of Energy]] and administered privately by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Master Government List of Federally Funded R&D Centers {{!}} NCSES {{!}} NSF |url=https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/ffrdclist/ |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=nsf.gov}}</ref>


The lab was originally established as the University of California Radiation Laboratory, Livermore Branch in 1952 in response to the detonation of the [[Soviet Union]]'s first atomic bomb during the [[Cold War]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The 1950s |url=https://www.llnl.gov/archives/1950s#event-the-founding-of-the-laboratory-at-livermore |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory |language=en}}</ref> It later became autonomous in 1971 and was designated a national laboratory in 1981.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://history.aip.org/phn/21612012.html|title=Lawrence Livermore Laboratory|website=Physics History Network |publisher=[[American Institute of Physics]] |access-date=August 4, 2019}}</ref>
The lab was originally established as the University of California Radiation Laboratory, Livermore Branch in 1952 in response to the detonation of the Soviet Union's first atomic bomb during the [[Cold War]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=The 1950s |url=https://www.llnl.gov/archives/1950s#event-the-founding-of-the-laboratory-at-livermore |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory |language=en}}</ref> It later became autonomous in 1971 and was designated a national laboratory in 1981.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://history.aip.org/phn/21612012.html|title=Lawrence Livermore Laboratory|website=Physics History Network |publisher=[[American Institute of Physics]] |access-date=August 4, 2019}}</ref>


A [[federally funded research and development center]], Lawrence Livermore Lab is primarily funded by the [[United States Department of Energy|U.S. Department of Energy]] and it is managed [[Privately held company|privately]] and operated by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (a [[Public-private partnerships in the United States|partnership]] of the [[University of California]], [[Bechtel]], [[BWX Technologies]], [[Amentum (company)]], and [[Battelle Memorial Institute]] in affiliation with the [[Texas A&M University System]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.llnsllc.com/|title=LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC|website=llnsllc.com}}</ref> In 2012, the synthetic chemical element [[livermorium]] (element 116) was named after the laboratory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Livermorium and Flerovium join the periodic table of elements |url=https://www.llnl.gov/news/livermorium-and-flerovium-join-periodic-table-elements |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=llnl.gov |language=en}}</ref>
A [[federally funded research and development center]], Lawrence Livermore Lab is primarily funded by the [[United States Department of Energy|U.S. Department of Energy]] and it is managed [[Privately held company|privately]] and operated by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (a [[Public-private partnerships in the United States|partnership]] of the [[University of California]], [[Bechtel]], [[BWX Technologies]], [[Amentum (company)]], and [[Battelle Memorial Institute]] in affiliation with the [[Texas A&M University System]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.llnsllc.com/|title=LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC|website=llnsllc.com}}</ref> In 2012, the synthetic chemical element [[livermorium]] (element 116) was named after the laboratory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Livermorium and Flerovium join the periodic table of elements |url=https://www.llnl.gov/news/livermorium-and-flerovium-join-periodic-table-elements |access-date=2022-12-14 |website=llnl.gov |language=en}}</ref>
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During the [[Cold War]], many Livermore-designed [[warhead]]s entered service. These were used in missiles ranging in size from the [[MGM-52 Lance|Lance]] surface-to-surface tactical missile to the megaton-class [[LIM-49A Spartan|Spartan antiballistic missile]]. Over the years, LLNL designed the following warheads: [[Mark 27 nuclear bomb|W27]] (Regulus cruise missile; 1955; joint with Los Alamos), [[W38 (nuclear warhead)|W38]] (Atlas/Titan ICBM; 1959), [[B41 nuclear bomb|B41]] (B52 bomb; 1957), [[W45 (nuclear warhead)|W45]] (Little John/Terrier missiles; 1956), [[W47]] (Polaris SLBM; 1957), [[W48]] (155-mm howitzer; 1957), [[W55 (nuclear warhead)|W55]] (submarine rocket; 1959), [[W56]] (Minuteman ICBM; 1960), [[W58]] (Polaris SLBM; 1960), [[W62]] (Minuteman ICBM; 1964), [[W68]] (Poseidon SLBM; 1966), [[W70]] (Lance missile; 1969), [[W71]] (Spartan missile; 1968), [[W79 Artillery-Fired Atomic Projectile|W79]] (8-in. artillery gun; 1975), [[W82]] (155-mm howitzer; 1978), [[B83 nuclear bomb|B83]] (modern strategic bomb; 1979), and [[W87]] (LGM-118 Peacekeeper/MX ICBM; 1982). The W87 and the B83 are the only LLNL designs still in the U.S. nuclear stockpile.<ref>{{cite web |first=Carey |last=Sublette | title=Complete List of All U.S. Nuclear Weapons | url=http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Weapons/Allbombs.html | work=The Nuclear Weapon Archive | date=October 14, 2006 | access-date=March 19, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Carey |last=Sublette | title=U.S. Nuclear Weapon Enduring Stockpile | url=http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Weapons/Wpngall.html | work=The Nuclear Weapon Archive | date=August 31, 2007 | access-date=March 19, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Stewardship | url=http://www.llnl.gov/llnl/missions/nwss.jsp | publisher=Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | date=February 13, 2008 | access-date=March 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920124117/https://www.llnl.gov/llnl/missions/nwss.jsp |archive-date=September 20, 2008}}</ref>
During the [[Cold War]], many Livermore-designed [[warhead]]s entered service. These were used in missiles ranging in size from the [[MGM-52 Lance|Lance]] surface-to-surface tactical missile to the megaton-class [[LIM-49A Spartan|Spartan antiballistic missile]]. Over the years, LLNL designed the following warheads: [[Mark 27 nuclear bomb|W27]] (Regulus cruise missile; 1955; joint with Los Alamos), [[W38 (nuclear warhead)|W38]] (Atlas/Titan ICBM; 1959), [[B41 nuclear bomb|B41]] (B52 bomb; 1957), [[W45 (nuclear warhead)|W45]] (Little John/Terrier missiles; 1956), [[W47]] (Polaris SLBM; 1957), [[W48]] (155-mm howitzer; 1957), [[W55 (nuclear warhead)|W55]] (submarine rocket; 1959), [[W56]] (Minuteman ICBM; 1960), [[W58]] (Polaris SLBM; 1960), [[W62]] (Minuteman ICBM; 1964), [[W68]] (Poseidon SLBM; 1966), [[W70]] (Lance missile; 1969), [[W71]] (Spartan missile; 1968), [[W79 Artillery-Fired Atomic Projectile|W79]] (8-in. artillery gun; 1975), [[W82]] (155-mm howitzer; 1978), [[B83 nuclear bomb|B83]] (modern strategic bomb; 1979), and [[W87]] (LGM-118 Peacekeeper/MX ICBM; 1982). The W87 and the B83 are the only LLNL designs still in the U.S. nuclear stockpile.<ref>{{cite web |first=Carey |last=Sublette | title=Complete List of All U.S. Nuclear Weapons | url=http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Weapons/Allbombs.html | work=The Nuclear Weapon Archive | date=October 14, 2006 | access-date=March 19, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Carey |last=Sublette | title=U.S. Nuclear Weapon Enduring Stockpile | url=http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Weapons/Wpngall.html | work=The Nuclear Weapon Archive | date=August 31, 2007 | access-date=March 19, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Stewardship | url=http://www.llnl.gov/llnl/missions/nwss.jsp | publisher=Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | date=February 13, 2008 | access-date=March 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920124117/https://www.llnl.gov/llnl/missions/nwss.jsp |archive-date=September 20, 2008}}</ref>


With the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]] in 1991 and the end of the [[Cold War]], the United States began a moratorium on nuclear testing and development of new nuclear weapon designs. To sustain existing warheads for the indefinite future, a science-based [[Stockpile stewardship|Stockpile Stewardship]] Program (SSP) was defined that emphasized the development and application of greatly improved technical capabilities to assess the safety, security, and reliability of existing nuclear warheads without the use of nuclear testing. Confidence in the performance of weapons, without nuclear testing, is maintained through an ongoing process of stockpile surveillance, assessment and certification, and refurbishment or weapon replacement.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stockpile Stewardship Program|url=https://wci.llnl.gov/science/stockpile-stewardship-program|access-date=2022-02-16|website=wci.llnl.gov|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Stockpile Stewardship at 20 Years|url=https://str.llnl.gov/july-2015/verdon|access-date=2022-02-16|website=str.llnl.gov}}</ref>
With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and the end of the [[Cold War]], the United States began a moratorium on nuclear testing and development of new nuclear weapon designs. To sustain existing warheads for the indefinite future, a science-based [[Stockpile stewardship|Stockpile Stewardship]] Program (SSP) was defined that emphasized the development and application of greatly improved technical capabilities to assess the safety, security, and reliability of existing nuclear warheads without the use of nuclear testing. Confidence in the performance of weapons, without nuclear testing, is maintained through an ongoing process of stockpile surveillance, assessment and certification, and refurbishment or weapon replacement.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stockpile Stewardship Program|url=https://wci.llnl.gov/science/stockpile-stewardship-program|access-date=2022-02-16|website=wci.llnl.gov|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Stockpile Stewardship at 20 Years|url=https://str.llnl.gov/july-2015/verdon|access-date=2022-02-16|website=str.llnl.gov}}</ref>


With no new designs of nuclear weapons, the warheads in the U.S. stockpile must continue to function far past their original expected lifetimes. As components and materials age, problems can arise. Stockpile Life Extension Programs can extend system lifetimes, but they also can introduce performance uncertainties and require maintenance of outdated technologies and materials. Because there is concern that it will become increasingly difficult to maintain high confidence in the current warheads for the long term, the Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration initiated the [[Reliable Replacement Warhead]] (RRW) Program. RRW designs could reduce uncertainties, ease maintenance demands, and enhance safety and security. In March 2007, the LLNL design was chosen for the Reliable Replacement Warhead.<ref>{{cite news|first=Scott |last=Lindlaw |title=Bush Administration Picks Lawrence Livermore Warhead Design |url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/03/02/state/n091011S16.DTL |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=March 2, 2007 |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312031319/http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fn%2Fa%2F2007%2F03%2F02%2Fstate%2Fn091011S16.DTL |archive-date=March 12, 2007 }}</ref> Since that time, Congress has not allocated funding for any further development of the RRW.
With no new designs of nuclear weapons, the warheads in the U.S. stockpile must continue to function far past their original expected lifetimes. As components and materials age, problems can arise. Stockpile Life Extension Programs can extend system lifetimes, but they also can introduce performance uncertainties and require maintenance of outdated technologies and materials. Because there is concern that it will become increasingly difficult to maintain high confidence in the current warheads for the long term, the Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration initiated the [[Reliable Replacement Warhead]] (RRW) Program. RRW designs could reduce uncertainties, ease maintenance demands, and enhance safety and security. In March 2007, the LLNL design was chosen for the Reliable Replacement Warhead.<ref>{{cite news|first=Scott |last=Lindlaw |title=Bush Administration Picks Lawrence Livermore Warhead Design |url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/03/02/state/n091011S16.DTL |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=March 2, 2007 |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312031319/http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fn%2Fa%2F2007%2F03%2F02%2Fstate%2Fn091011S16.DTL |archive-date=March 12, 2007 }}</ref> Since that time, Congress has not allocated funding for any further development of the RRW.
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