U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s NIKE Laser-Target Facility Helps to Advance Department of Defense Nuclear Mission

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Members of the Laser Plasma Branch at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory join visitors from fellows defense research agencies for a group photo in the NIKE target area in Washington, D.C., Oct. 25, 2024. The visit featured a tour of the NIKE laser facility to promote potential collaborative experiments in reactive materials research. (U.S. Navy photo by Sarah Peterson)
Members of the Laser Plasma Branch at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory join visitors from fellows defense research agencies for a group photo in the NIKE target area in Washington, D.C., Oct. 25, 2024. The visit featured a tour of the NIKE laser facility to promote potential collaborative experiments in reactive materials research (U.S. Navy photo by Sarah Peterson).

June 17, 2025 | Originally published by U.S. Naval Research Laboratory on May 5, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has announced a new strategic direction for its NIKE laser-target facility to align its world-class capabilities with the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) nuclear strategic priorities.

The new strategic direction marks a shift from the facility’s historical focus on Department of Energy (DoE) missions, specifically those related to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The initiative emphasizes NRL’s commitment to advancing national security through cutting-edge science and technology.

Originally constructed in 1995 with support from the NNSA, the NIKE (pronounced nai-kee) laser was designed to explore the physics of direct-drive inertial confinement fusion in support of the nation’s nuclear stockpile stewardship mission.

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