Department of Energy FY 2012 Congressional ... - The FIRE Place

hydrodynamics, and material properties support ongoing stockpile assessment via the quantification of
margins and uncertainties methodology. Approximately 15 percent of NIF experiments will be made
available to the basic science community and other users external to the NNSA. The LLNL effort also
executes high energy density physics experiments in support of the SSP at the University of Rochester
Laboratory for Laser Energetics (OMEGA), the Z Machine at Sandia National Laboratories and other
facilities, and develops many of the advanced targets required to support these experiments.
Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) Campaign
In FY 2012, LLNL ASC activities will focus on three major areas:
• maintaining a world-class, national supercomputing user facility that enables reliable and responsive
computer simulations throughout the laboratory complex;
• development and application of simulation tools for annual assessment, LEPs, SFIs and the mission
priorities of the Stockpile Stewardship Program (SSP), and
• application of ASC capabilities to national nuclear security mission needs including the Nuclear
Emergency Support Team (NEST), warhead dismantlement, nuclear attribution, effects and
emerging threats.
In addition, LLNL will continue its leadership in the deployment of Common Computing Environment
capabilities on all newly procured capacity clusters enabling a seamless ASC user environment for
capacity computing. The ASC Campaign at LLNL will pursue forward looking investments in Sequoia,
a computing platform that will perform the large number of demanding simulations needed for
quantification of simulation uncertainties. The LLNL will continue to develop, implement, and apply a
suite of physics-based models and high-fidelity databases to enable predictive simulation of the initial
conditions for primary performance.
Readiness in Technical Base and Facilities (RTBF)
The Stockpile Stewardship Program at LLNL relies heavily on a wide variety of experimental,
computational, fabrication, and special materials-handling facilities, and related support facilities and
infrastructure to accomplish the objectives and milestones described in the Campaign and DSW program
and implementation plans. Of these “Stockpile Stewardship Mission-Essential Facilities,” the subset of
direct, programmatic facilities and technical base (i.e., “capabilities”), that are in part or fully directfunded
through the RTBF program include the Nuclear Materials Technology Program (NMTP)
facilities (Superblock), the light gas guns (B341), the High Explosive Applications Facility (HEAF), the
open air firing sites and Contained Firing Facility (CFF) at Site 300, and the Engineering test facilities at
Site 300.
Nuclear Counterterrorism Incident Response (NCTIR)
The NCTIR activities at LLNL include assisting in operating, exercising, and maintaining DOE’s
capability to provide assistance to federal, state and local government agencies for responding to
radiological accidents and incidents. The LLNL deploys trained, qualified technical and professional
personnel and specialized equipment and provides research and development, training, exercises,
operations, maintenance and required coordination with other federal agencies and foreign governments
to effectively address current and projected threats. The LLNL is an active participant in the NNSA
Nuclear Emergency Support Team, which can respond to any type of emergency involving radioactive
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Page 497
FY 2012 Congressional Budget