Since its founding during the Manhattan Project, Oak Ridge National Laboratory has advanced the science and technology that protect the United States. To address modern and emerging threats to U.S. national security, ORNL translates scientific discoveries into technology solutions.
We bring together world-leading capabilities in nuclear science, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, materials and manufacturing, cyber-physical systems, and geospatial data science to help the nation anticipate threats, strengthen resilience, and deliver mission-ready solutions. This integration allows us to move from fundamental discovery to deployable solutions—quickly, responsibly, and at scale.
The challenges are complex and the need for solutions urgent. But our approach is simple: start with science, integrate across disciplines, and deliver impact at speed and scale.
From emerging technologies and cyber-physical attacks to nuclear proliferation and supply chain vulnerabilities, the threats to America’s national security continue to evolve at a rapid pace.
These challenges are interconnected. They demand integrated, science-based solutions.
National security today demands integrated, science-driven solutions.
Advancing uranium science, safeguards, and secure-by-design reactor technologies to reduce global nuclear threats
Combining national-scale infrastructure data with device-level technical expertise to strengthen the resilience and reliability of systems we depend on every day.
Enabling faster, better-informed decisions during crises, disasters, and global conflicts.
Strengthening U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and defense readiness
Ensuring U.S. leadership in computing while defending against AI-enabled threats
National security today is inseparable from economic security, energy resilience, technological leadership, and global stability. For more than 80 years, ORNL has answered the nation’s call in moments of profound challenge. Today’s threats are complex and evolving—but our commitment remains constant.
