U.S. Air Force Transports Compact Nuclear Reactor Aboard C-17
February 22nd, 2026Via: The Defense Post:
The US Department of Defense has airlifted a compact nuclear reactor from California to Utah, marking the first time a C-17 military transport aircraft has transported a nuclear microreactor.
In partnership with Hawthorne-based Valar Atomics and the Department of Energy, officials flew the unfueled Ward 250 reactor from March Air Reserve Base to Hill Air Force Base.
The reactor will then be moved to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab for assessments, where it is expected to reach initial operations capability by July 2026 under Washington’s effort to accelerate domestic nuclear deployment.
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