By Dr. Julie Skipper
Air Force Institute of Technology

The Nuclear Expertise for Advancing Technologies (NEAT) Center at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), part of Air University is advancing the Department of the Air Force’s nuclear modernization priorities by delivering cutting-edge research, graduate education, and mission-focused workforce development in direct support of U.S. strategic deterrence.

Established in 2019 within AFIT’s Department of Engineering Physics, the NEAT Center was formed in response to national strategic guidance, including the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review, which called for renewed emphasis on nuclear expertise and modernization across the force. Since its founding, NEAT has become a hub for multidisciplinary nuclear research and education aligned with the priorities of the Department of War (DoW), the Department of the Air Force, and the broader national security enterprise.

Building the Nation’s Nuclear Workforce
NEAT’s mission is to develop intellectual capital through nuclear research relating to weapon effects, survivability, nonproliferation, counterproliferation, and forensics. Its vision is clear: build the nation’s technical nuclear workforce through innovative research that solves present and future challenges in nuclear deterrence operations.

The Center is 100% externally funded, reflecting sustained confidence from sponsors across the nuclear enterprise, including Air Force organizations, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other National Security agencies.

Advancing AFIT’s Academic Excellence
As part of AFIT’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management, NEAT directly supports AFIT’s graduate education mission. AFIT offers accredited master’s and doctoral programs in nuclear engineering, applied physics, materials science and related disciplines, producing officers and civilian professionals equipped to lead technical efforts across the Air Force and DoW.

Through distance learning and in-residence programs, NEAT enhances nuclear literacy across the force, ensuring that operators, engineers, and acquisition professionals understand the technical realities of nuclear environments and strategic systems.

(U.S. Air Force graphic)

Flagship Research Programs
Among its high-impact initiatives are the following:

• ATHENA (Advanced neutron environment testing at the National Ignition Facility) — Leveraging experiments at the National Ignition Facility to simulate strategic neutron environments for survivability and forensics validation.
• SNITCHES — A machine learning program applying multi-phenomenological data to monitor nuclear facility operations, strengthening verification and nonproliferation tools.
• USAFSAM Radiation Risk Reduction Projects — Collaborative research addressing aircrew radiation exposure and terrestrial gamma flashes.
• Combined Laser and Pulsed Power Radiation Source (CLPPRS) — A next-generation in-house radiation effects platform designed to rebuild DoW nuclear effects expertise and train future subject-matter experts.

NEAT also advances DoW-specific nuclear data capabilities and experimental neutron source development to close gaps identified in national stockpile and modernization strategies.

Impact on the Department of the Air Force and DoW
NEAT’s impact extends beyond publications and laboratory advances. It provides:

• A pipeline of technically trained officers and civilians ready for nuclear enterprise engineering and operational assignments
• Validated modeling tools for survivability and mission assurance
• Data and experimental capabilities to inform acquisition and life extension programs
• Technical insight supporting deterrence credibility and modernization efforts

By combining graduate education, hands-on experimentation, high-performance computing, and national laboratory collaboration, NEAT strengthens the technical backbone of U.S. nuclear deterrence.

About AFIT

AFIT’s Graduate School of Engineering and Management (GSEM) provides in-residence and distance learning graduate degrees and certificates in engineering, applied science, mathematics and management. GSEM provides its students with several significant advantages: a more personalized educational experience, academic programs with a defense-related focus, and research on high-priority defense problems.  

AFIT is located at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. AFIT’s mission is to educate defense professionals to innovatively accomplish the deterrence and warfighting missions of the USAF and USSF. AFIT’s vision is to lead defense-focused education, research and consultation to accelerate military superiority across all domains and is accomplished through operationally relevant advanced academic education, research, and professional continuing education. For more information, please visit the AFIT webpage https://www.afit.edu/ or contact GSEM outreach at AFIT.EN.Outreach@us.af.mil.