US EditionPentagon and DOE Fly Advanced Nuclear Reactor to Utah for Testing
The microreactor, capable of powering 5,000 homes, is part of a push to modernize U.S. nuclear energy and achieve criticality by July 4, 2026, officials said.
- 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 US has transported a small nuclear reactor by plane for the first time, and Donald Trump's government sees it as a breakthrough for energy and military logistics.
US Conducts First Air Transport Of Micro Nuclear Reactor On Cargo Plane
The US Departments of Energy and Defense on Sunday for the first time transported a small nuclear reactor on a cargo plane from California to Utah to demonstrate the potential to quickly deploy nuclear power for military and civilian use.
US transports nuclear microreactor for first time, showcasing potential to deploy nuclear power
“This gets us closer to deploy nuclear power when and where it is needed to give our nation’s warfighters the tools to win in battle,” said Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
In the United States, a small nuclear reactor was transported by cargo plane from California to Utah for the first time, testing the possibility of quickly installing nuclear power for military and civilian use.
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