Airlift of a mini nuclear reactor - First of which in US history
US completes first airborne transport of mini nuclear reactor
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US Departments of Energy and Defense announced the successful completion of the country’s first-ever aerial transport of a small modular nuclear reactor, marking a milestone in rapid-deployment nuclear energy for both military and civilian purposes.
The operation took place on Sunday, moving a WARD-model reactor, produced by Valar Atomics, aboard a C-17 military cargo plane from California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah. The reactor components were transported without nuclear fuel.
High-level officials, including Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Deputy Defense Secretary Michael Duffy, were on board to oversee the operation. Duffy said the achievement brings the armed forces closer to deploying mobile nuclear power anywhere to support troops with essential energy tools.
The move aligns with directives from US President Donald Trump, who issued executive orders to expand domestic nuclear energy capabilities in response to rising demand from artificial intelligence technologies and national security needs.
Valar CEO Isaiah Taylor said the reactor, roughly the size of a small bus, can generate five megawatts of electricity - enough to power around 5,000 homes. The company plans to begin pilot operations in July, with full commercial deployment expected by 2028.
