High Explosive Science and Engineering Facility continues to make leaps and bounds
An aerial view of the High Explosives Science and Engineering Complex.
Construction continues at Pantex on the High Explosives Science and Engineering (HESE) Facility, with multiple milestones achieved during the fall and winter seasons.
The HESE main works (HESE MWs) project buzz continued through the end of 2024. The HESE team completed two more internal project milestones: completion of structural concrete and reinforcing steel and application of permanent power to the Technology Development and Deployment Laboratory (TD/DL). The first was met on September 11, 2024, when subcontractors for the HESE Hensel Phelps (HP) began an overnight placement of approximately 700 cubic yards of concrete that ended in the early hours of the following day.
“Successfully completing the final concrete placement on the High Explosives (HE) Lab caps off a yearlong effort to build a tremendous structure,” said HP Project Manager Cody Edwards. “Doing this without any incidents is a testament to the skilled craftsmanship and care deployed by the men and women who worked tirelessly to achieve such a milestone. Hensel Phelps is proud to be a part of these accomplishments.”
The following week, HP placed the front face of the HESE ’s earth-covered high explosives bunker to complete all structural concrete and steel on the project.
“With the three different buildings compete with ‘dry-in’, the project is able to transition focus to interior construction activities,” Rory Hayden, PXD HESE Project Manager said. “Permanent power and climate control will allow interior finishes to begin. The buildings are beginning to take their final form.”
The project was able to apply permanent power to the TD/DL in late September. The application of permanent power is a highly scrutinized activity that requires a team effort to accomplish smoothly.
“Achieving permanent power is both a logistical achievement as well as a momentum indicator on a project that requires all stakeholders involved to work seamlessly together,” Edwards said. “PXD and Hensel Phelps overcame several obstacles in order to achieve this without any undue influences on the plant, which will allow the project to transition into critical buildout and commissioning phases.”
The first quarter of 2025 will bring major advancements across all of HESE MWs, including HP’s completion of site utilities. The TD/DL will have air conditioning, and with that, the beginning of interior finishes. The HE Lab will be done with exterior work and interior work continuing full steam ahead with power to the building early this year.
Overall, the HESE project is 88% complete with construction on track to be finished on schedule by the end of August 2025.