1 hour ago
Last Updated:February 17, 2026, 05:19 IST
The reactor, developed by California-based Valar Atomics, was flown aboard a C-17 Globemaster III without nuclear fuel.
The transported reactor, slightly larger than a minivan, is designed to generate up to five megawatts of electricity.
In a first-of-its-kind demonstration of rapid nuclear energy deployment, the US Department of Energy and the US Department of Defense transported a micro nuclear reactor by cargo aircraft from California to Hill Air Force Base on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in military logistics and advanced energy capability.
The reactor, developed by California-based Valar Atomics, was flown aboard a C-17 Globemaster III without nuclear fuel as part of an operational exercise to prove that compact nuclear power systems can be rapidly deployed to support both military missions and civilian needs in remote locations.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey accompanied the shipment, calling the operation a turning point for deployable nuclear energy.
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“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," Michael Duffey said.
ATOM ADVANCE: The Department of War transported a next-generation nuclear reactor aboard a C-17 from California to Utah, advancing President Trump’s executive order to modernize America’s nuclear energy infrastructure and strengthen U.S. national security. pic.twitter.com/DuMKKo8bhr— Fox News (@FoxNews) February 16, 2026
The airlift comes amid a broader push by the Donald Trump administration to expand domestic nuclear energy capacity. In 2025, Trump signed four executive orders aimed at accelerating nuclear deployment to meet rising electricity demand driven by national security requirements and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence infrastructure. The Energy Department also awarded grants in December to speed up development of small modular and microreactors.
The transported reactor, slightly larger than a minivan, is designed to generate up to five megawatts of electricity- enough to power approximately 5,000 homes. It is expected to begin operating at lower output levels in July before gradually ramping up to full capacity.
The Energy Department plans for three microreactors to reach “criticality"- the point at which a sustained nuclear chain reaction occurs- by July 4. Fuel for the system will be transferred from the Nevada Security Site to a processing facility in Utah.
Valar Atomics aims to begin test power sales by 2027, with full commercial operations targeted for 2028.
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New York, United States of America (USA)
First Published:
February 17, 2026, 05:19 IST
News world In Historic First, US Airlifts Micro Nuclear Reactor From California To Utah | Watch
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