Sept 16 (Reuters) - BWX Technologies ( BWXT ) said on

Tuesday it had secured a $1.5 billion contract from the U.S.

National Nuclear Security Administration to develop domestic

uranium enrichment capabilities for defense purposes.

The semi-autonomous nuclear agency, part of the

Department of Energy, aims to establish a reliable supply of

low-enriched uranium for tritium production and highly enriched

uranium for naval nuclear propulsion, the NNSA said in a

statement.

The production plant will be located in Erwin, Tennessee.

In July, BWX secured a $2.6 billion order to manufacture

components for nuclear submarines and an aircraft carrier for

the U.S. Navy.

Shares of BWX were up 1.4% in extended trading.