A State-of-the-Art Explosives Research Facility
LLNL’s High Explosives Applications Facility (HEAF) is an explosives research and development Center of Excellence for the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
One of the most capable facilities of its kind in the world, HEAF houses equipment and technology used by LLNL staff to apply expertise in formulation and synthesis, integrating high explosives (HE) experimental data with computer simulations to understand energetic materials.
HEAF by the Numbers
120k
SQUARE FEET
7
FIRING TANKS
200+
PERSONNEL
22 lb (10 kg)
MAXIMUM EXPLOSIVES
In a Class by Itself: HEAF's Capabilities
With its combination of cutting-edge computational analysis and wide array of tools for conducting highly diagnosed experiments, HEAF researchers can achieve rapid and efficient advances in energetic material research all under one roof.
Synthesis and formulation of new explosives
Explosives properties testing
Experimental diagnostic equipment
Design and execution of basic explosives properties research
Study of explosives at the micrometer scale
Multiple firing tanks for larger scale explosives experiments
Stockpile Stewardship, assuring the reliability and safety of the nation’s nuclear stockpile.
Conventional weapon and counterterrorism development: special-purpose weapons, armor penetration, and infantry protective equipment design.
Next-generation high-speed explosives diagnostics research and development.
Development of environmentally responsible explosives for safe and clean disposal of waste.
History of HEAF
First opened in 1989, HEAF brings together equipment, diagnostics, and the interdisciplinary teams of research scientists, engineers, and operations staff scattered across the Lab into one central facility.
Visit Our Legacy page to learn more about the history of HEAF and SD.
