US turns cargo containers into nuke bunkers for remote military bases

Sandia National Laboratories has developed a mobile, high-security vault housed within a 20-foot shipping container to safeguard nuclear weapons at remote or temporary military locations where permanent bunkers are not feasible. Created under the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Stockpile Responsiveness Program, the project was completed in six months using a rapid, adaptable design approach. The vault features advanced access control, alarm systems, sensors, and backup power, built with a combination of off-the-shelf parts, rapid prototyping, and additive manufacturing. Two additional prototypes are underway, with upcoming testing planned during the Department of Defense’s Grey Flag 25 exercise to simulate real-world conditions. This mobile vault offers a flexible and scalable solution for secure storage of nuclear weapons and other critical assets in field conditions, providing new capabilities for military and civilian missions. The technology aims to protect sensitive materials during transport or operations in locations lacking traditional infrastructure, such as battlefields or disaster zones. Sandia plans to transition the technology to industry for broader production and deployment