The US Departments of Energy and Defense successfully transported a compact nuclear reactor via cargo plane from California to Utah, marking the first instance of such transportation. The purpose of this operation was to showcase the potential for swift deployment of nuclear power for both military and civilian applications.
In collaboration with Valar Atomics, a California-based company, the agencies loaded one of Valar’s Ward microreactors onto a C-17 aircraft, without nuclear fuel, and flew it to Hill Air Force Base in Utah. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey were aboard the C-17 flight along with the reactor and its components. They commended the event as a significant advancement for US nuclear energy capabilities and military logistics.
Under Secretary Duffey remarked, “This achievement brings us closer to being able to utilize nuclear power promptly and efficiently for our nation’s military needs, enhancing our ability to succeed in combat situations.”
President Donald Trump’s administration views small nuclear reactors as a key component in expanding US energy production. Last May, President Trump issued four executive orders focusing on increasing domestic nuclear deployment to address the rising energy demands for national security and technological advancements.
To expedite the development of small modular reactors, the Energy Department granted two awards in December. Supporters of microreactors argue that they can serve as energy sources for remote locations, providing an alternative to diesel generators that necessitate frequent fuel deliveries. However, critics question the cost-effectiveness of small nuclear reactors compared to larger nuclear facilities or renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.
The Energy Department aims to have three microreactors achieve “criticality” – the point at which a nuclear reaction can sustain itself – by July 4, according to Secretary Wright. The microreactor involved in the recent transport, slightly larger than a minivan, has the capacity to produce up to 5 megawatts of electricity, sufficient to power 5,000 households, as stated by Valar CEO Isaiah Taylor. The reactor will commence operations at 100 kilowatts in July, reaching peak capacity of 250 kilowatts this year before scaling up to full output.
Valar anticipates initiating power sales on a trial basis in 2027 and transitioning to full commercial operations by 2028. While the private sector funds the development of nuclear technology, federal support is crucial for certain enabling actions such as local fuel fabrication and uranium enrichment, Taylor emphasized.
Transportation of fuel for Valar’s reactor will be conducted from the Nevada National Security site to the San Rafael facility, Secretary Wright informed the press. Nevertheless, the disposal of radioactive waste generated by even small reactors poses a significant challenge, according to Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists. The Energy Department is engaging in discussions with several states, including Utah, regarding potential sites for fuel reprocessing or permanent waste disposal solutions.