"Atomic Bomb Birthplace Prepares for Monumental Mission"
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Military.com
Los Alamos National Laboratory, birthplace of the atomic bomb during the Manhattan Project, is now facing its biggest mission since then as it participates in the nation's most ambitious nuclear weapons effort since World War II. The lab is modernizing the nuclear arsenal by producing plutonium cores, with the workforce expanding to over 17,000 employees. While the lab also conducts research in various fields, critics question the need for new weapons and the growing price tag. The expansion has strained the labor market and housing supply in Los Alamos, prompting officials to reconsider zoning rules. Despite the challenges, lab officials feel a sense of urgency amid global threats.