The X-1 Advanced Radiation Source, which will produce −16 MJ in x-rays, represents the next step in providing U.S. Department of Energy's Stockpile Stewardship Program with the high-energy, large volume, laboratory x-ray sources needed for the Radiation Effects Science and Simulation (RES), Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF), and Weapon Physics (WP) Programs. Analytical scaling arguments and hydrodynamic simulations indicate that X-1 will have the capability to heat hohlraums at temperatures of 230–300 eV to ignite thermonuclear fuel and drive the reaction to a high radiation yield of 200 to 1000 MJ in the laboratory. This paper will introduce the X-1 Advanced Radiation Source Facility Project, describe the systems analysis and engineering approach being used, and identify critical technology areas being researched.