Photos: Aging nuclear arsenal grows ever more costly

The forward section of a B61 nuclear bomb is on display at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Nov. 8, 2014 12 AM PT

The 1940s-era Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn., responsible for making thermonuclear assemblies for hydrogen bombs, is part of a weapons program that has become increasingly costly to operate because of aging equipment, deteriorating facilities and soaring overhead costs.

Aging nuclear arsenal grows ever more costly

Safety Culture Program Manager Paul Wasilko demonstrates how a communication system at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Nuclear equipment sits idle as museum pieces at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Idle nuclear equipment in a museum space at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A nuclear warhead on display as a museum piece at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Calutron Beta-3 control room stands as a museum piece at the Y-12 National Security Complex. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A detail of a contol panel in the Calutron control room on display at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

A detail of a nuclear control panel on display as a museum piece at the Y-12 National Security Complex. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Oak Ridge’s Building 92043, where enriched uranium was separated during the Manhattan Project, has been designated a Nuclear Historic Landmark by the American Nuclear Society. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Oak Ridge’s Building 9212, at upper left, is the main production area for the thermonuclear assembly of hydrogen bombs. A plan to replace it was scrapped recently for cost reasons. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Building 92043 at Oak Ridge, where enriched uranium was separated during the Manhattan Project. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Rusty pipes and dilapidated structures stand throughout the aging Y-12 National Security Complex. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Building 92043, where enriched uranium was separated. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Ralph Hutchison is with the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance, which aims to stop nuclear weapons production at the Y-12 complex in Tennessee. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Y-12 National Security Complex security police officers use virtual reality screens as a method of training. Security expenses have contributed to climbing costs at the nation’s nuclear labs. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Dusty and rusted equipment sits idle at the Y-12 National Security Complex. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)