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Pentagon and DOE Fly Advanced Nuclear Reactor to Utah for Testing

Three microreactors are planned to reach criticality by July 4, supporting military bases and training at Utah’s San Rafael Energy Lab, advancing rapid deployment goals.

  • On Sunday, February 15, 2026, the U.S. Department of War airlifted unfueled Valar Atomics Ward250 modules from March Air Reserve Base to Hill Air Force Base for testing at Utah San Rafael Energy Lab.
  • Amid a regulatory push tied to President Donald Trump’s executive orders, agencies are speeding licensing to have at least three reactors producing energy by July 4, 2026.
  • The six unfueled reactor modules supplied by Valar Atomics were airlifted with founder Isaiah Taylor and staff aboard multiple C-17s, featuring a five-megawatt microreactor powering 5,000 homes.
  • Department officials said the reactor will move to Emery County and start generating power before July 4, 2026; Michael Duffey called it a "tremendous milestone" informing nuclear power capabilities.
  • Despite proponents' praise, critics note microreactors lack a clear business case, high costs, and radioactive waste; Valar plans test sales in 2027 and full commercialization in 2028.
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The U.S. Energy and Defence departments transported, on Sunday, for the first time, a small-scale nuclear reactor with a charge aircraft from California in Utah to demonstrate the potential for rapid use of nuclear energy for military and civil purposes, inform Reuters.

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alert5.com broke the news in on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
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