U.S. Airlifts First Microreactor in Nuclear Deployment Milestone

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – The U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense have transported a small nuclear reactor by military cargo aircraft for the first time, marking a significant milestone in President Donald Trump’s push to expand advanced nuclear energy across the country.

Three C-17 transport planes carried the unfueled Ward 250 microreactor, developed by California-based Valar Atomics, from March Air Reserve Base in California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah on Sunday.

Senior defense and energy officials accompanied the reactor module during the flight, describing the mission as a breakthrough in rapid nuclear deployment capability. Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey said the airlift demonstrates how microreactors could be positioned quickly to support U.S. military operations, adding that the effort brings the nation closer to delivering reliable power to warfighters when and where it is needed.

The Ward 250 reactor, roughly the size of a minivan, will begin testing near Hill Air Force Base at lower output levels before ramping up. According to Valar CEO Isaiah Taylor, the system will initially operate at 100 kilowatts, scale to 250 kilowatts this year, and eventually reach 5 megawatts — enough electricity to power about 5,000 homes. The design uses TRISO fuel, which consists of uranium kernels encased in protective ceramic layers, and employs helium rather than water as a coolant.

President Trump has prioritized domestic nuclear expansion as part of a broader national security and energy strategy, calling for at least three advanced microreactors to reach criticality by July 4. Supporters argue that small modular reactors can provide dependable, scalable energy to remote military bases and reduce reliance on diesel fuel shipments vulnerable to disruption.

Critics, however, caution that microreactor technology remains largely unproven at commercial scale and may produce electricity at higher costs than traditional nuclear plants or renewable sources. Concerns also remain about long-term radioactive waste management. Nevertheless, officials say the successful airlift signals a new phase in integrating advanced nuclear systems into U.S. energy infrastructure and military logistics planning.

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