High Explosives Applications Facility

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.

Man standing in front of entrance to testing chamber

HEAF by the Numbers

 

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120k

SQUARE FEET

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7

FIRING TANKS

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200+

PERSONNEL

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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

Synthesis and formulation of new explosives

Explosives properties testing

 Explosives properties testing

Experimental diagnostic equipment

Experimental diagnostic equipment

Design and execution of basic explosives properties research

Design and execution of basic explosives properties research

Study of explosives at the micrometer scale

Study of explosives at the micrometer scale

Multiple firing tanks for larger scale explosives experiments

Multiple firing tanks for larger scale explosives experiments 

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Contributing to LLNL's Mission

 

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.

 

HEAF vessel being assembled
Truck carrying HEAF vessel