## [High Explosives Applications Facility](/facilities/hydrodynamic-explosives-testing/high-explosives-applications-facility) # High Explosives Applications Facility ## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/) 2. High Explosives Applications Facility ![Man standing in front of entrance to testing chamber](/sites/sd/files/styles/orig/public/2022-09/Group%204131.png?itok=Sz5CPVIb) ## 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. ## HEAF by the Numbers ![Cubist icons](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/styles/scaled_200w/public/2022-09/120k-square-feet-icon2x.png?itok=LOOUyXkn "120k-square-feet-icon2x.png") ### 120k SQUARE FEET ![Orb with ladder](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/styles/scaled_200w/public/2022-09/heaf-tank-icon2x.png?itok=A831pw3P "heaf-tank-icon2x.png") ### 7 FIRING TANKS ![Worker icons](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/styles/scaled_200w/public/2022-09/personnel-icon2x.png?itok=BRxIEnAW "personnel-icon2x.png") ### 200+ PERSONNEL ![Dynamite icon](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/styles/scaled_200w/public/2022-09/dynamite-icon2x.png?itok=WtyGIPqg "dynamite-icon2x.png") ### 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](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/styles/crop_thumbnail/public/2022-09/synthesis-formulation-circle.png?itok=t_yWqCms "synthesis-formulation-circle.png") Synthesis and formulation of new explosives ![Explosives properties testing](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/styles/crop_thumbnail/public/2022-09/explosives-properties-test-circle.png?itok=L-Rwu6X5 "explosives-properties-test-circle.png") Explosives properties testing ![Experimental diagnostic equipment](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/styles/crop_thumbnail/public/2022-09/experimenta-diagnostic-circle.png?itok=FBaJFAf8 "experimenta-diagnostic-circle.png") Experimental diagnostic equipment ![Design and execution of basic explosives properties research](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/styles/crop_thumbnail/public/2022-09/design-execution-basic-circle.png?itok=c4jlVpLt "design-execution-basic-circle.png") Design and execution of basic explosives properties research ![Study of explosives at the micrometer scale](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/styles/crop_thumbnail/public/2022-09/study-explosives-micrometer-circle.png?itok=2XeSFzj6 "study-explosives-micrometer-circle.png") Study of explosives at the micrometer scale ![Multiple firing tanks for larger scale explosives experiments](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/styles/crop_thumbnail/public/2022-09/multiple-firing-tanks-circle.png?itok=CgsBYn5e "multiple-firing-tanks-circle.png") Multiple firing tanks for larger scale explosives experiments ``` ----- Please do not edit or delete, for stylistic backgrounds only ----- ``` ## Contributing to LLNL's Mission 1. 2. 3. 4. Stockpile Stewardship, assuring the reliability and safety of the nation’s nuclear stockpile. ![](/sites/sd/files/styles/carousel_580_430/public/2022-09/carousel-img1-optimized.png?itok=bTa8luDn) ![](/sites/sd/files/styles/carousel_580_430/public/2022-09/carousel-img1-optimized.png?itok=bTa8luDn) Stockpile Stewardship, assuring the reliability and safety of the nation’s nuclear stockpile. Conventional weapon and counterterrorism development: special-purpose weapons, armor penetration, and infantry protective equipment design. ![](/sites/sd/files/styles/carousel_580_430/public/2022-09/carousel-img2-optimized.png?itok=tafWgrHN) ![](/sites/sd/files/styles/carousel_580_430/public/2022-09/carousel-img2-optimized.png?itok=tafWgrHN) Conventional weapon and counterterrorism development: special-purpose weapons, armor penetration, and infantry protective equipment design. Next-generation high-speed explosives diagnostics research and development. ![](/sites/sd/files/styles/carousel_580_430/public/2022-09/carousel-img3-optimized.png?itok=HIwkfPTu) ![](/sites/sd/files/styles/carousel_580_430/public/2022-09/carousel-img3-optimized.png?itok=HIwkfPTu) Next-generation high-speed explosives diagnostics research and development. Development of environmentally responsible explosives for safe and clean disposal of waste. ![](/sites/sd/files/styles/carousel_580_430/public/2022-09/carousel-img4-optimized.png?itok=egH9N8AY) ![](/sites/sd/files/styles/carousel_580_430/public/2022-09/carousel-img4-optimized.png?itok=egH9N8AY) Development of environmentally responsible explosives for safe and clean disposal of waste. Previous Next ## 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](https://sd.llnl.gov/about-us/our-legacy "Our Legacy") page to learn more about the history of HEAF and SD. ![HEAF vessel being assembled](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/styles/scaled_877w/public/2022-09/heafvessel3aug1988-2.png?itok=0QgKqB85 "heafvessel3aug1988-2.png") ![Truck carrying HEAF vessel](https://sd.llnl.gov/sites/sd/files/styles/scaled_877w/public/2022-09/heaf-vessel-2.png?itok=-Wgg1Hvk "heaf-vessel-2.png")