President Donald Trump has directed the Department of Defense (DoD) to immediately resume nuclear weapons testing, ending a moratorium the U.S. upheld since 1992. Announcing the decision, the President cited escalating global nuclear programs, emphasizing the U.S. must test its arsenal on an “equal basis” with other major powers.
This executive mandate instantly creates a multi-billion-dollar wave of new government funding, positioning defense contractors for significant opportunities across nuclear test site construction, operations, and specialized engineering support. The shift promises a substantial boost to the Government Contracting (GovCon) landscape.
Companies Poised for New Nuclear Infrastructure Contracts
Defense industry analyst firm Govini highlights specific companies poised to benefit from this major policy change. These critical contractors include:
- Honeywell International: Actively manages a key U.S. testing site and tracks the nation’s nuclear stockpile.
- BWX Technologies: A specialist in nuclear materials, providing components and reactors for U.S. naval nuclear propulsion.
- Mele Associates: Supervises portions of the nuclear stockpile and maintains crucial materials security.
Additional companies identified as potential beneficiaries in the nuclear supply chain include Chugach Alaska, Jacobs Solutions, and General Atomics.
As Govini CEO Tara Murphy Dougherty affirmed, “Restarting nuclear weapons testing is going to reverberate in a lot of ways, including by sending a shockwave of government funding to companies in test site construction and engineering support.”
The directive ensures sustained demand for contractors with niche expertise in nuclear infrastructure and security, driving significant contracting volume for years to come.
