BWX Technologies secures $1.5 billion contract from US nuclear weapons agency

Sept 16 (Reuters) - BWX Technologies BWXT.N said on Tuesday it had secured a $1.5 billion contract from the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration to develop domestic uranium enrichment capabilities for defense purposes.

The semi-autonomous nuclear agency, part of the Department of Energy, aims to establish a reliable supply of low-enriched uranium for tritium production and highly enriched uranium for naval nuclear propulsion, the NNSA said in a statement.

The production plant will be located in Erwin, Tennessee.

In July, BWX secured a $2.6 billion order to manufacture components for nuclear submarines and an aircraft carrier for the U.S. Navy.

Shares of BWX were up 1.4% in extended trading.