US Military Transports Next-Generation Nuclear Reactor to Utah
The U.S. military transported a small modular nuclear reactor to Hill Air Force Base in Utah in February 2026 for testing and evaluation, following its initial transport to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab in March 2026 as part of 'Operation Windlord' using three C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. As of July 16, 2026, four advanced reactors have achieved criticality, exceeding the Department of Energy's goal, with Deployable Energy's Unity demonstration reactor achieving criticality on July 1, 2026, making the U.S. the first country to achieve criticality in three unique advanced microreactor designs in a single month. This includes Valar Atomics' Ward 250, which achieved criticality on June 19, 2026, at its Utah facility, and Antares Nuclear's Mark-0, which achieved criticality on June 4, 2026, at Idaho National Laboratory. The Department of Energy has also offered up to $17.5 billion in conditional loans for 10 large nuclear reactors and awarded over $94 million to American companies to expedite small nuclear reactor deployment, aligning with President Trump's executive orders.
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July 2026 — 3 developments
US Military Transports Small Modular Nuclear Reactor to Utah Base
A small modular nuclear reactor was transported to Hill Air Force Base in Utah in February 2026 for testing and evaluation. This transport is part of ongoing efforts where four advanced reactors have now achieved criticality, exceeding the Department of Energy's goal.
US Achieves Criticality in Three Unique Advanced Microreactor Designs
Deployable Energy's Unity demonstration reactor achieved criticality at Idaho National Laboratory on July 1, 2026, making the U.S. the first country to achieve criticality in three unique advanced microreactor designs in a single month. This achievement fulfills a directive to reignite nuclear energy innovation.
Three Advanced Nuclear Reactors Achieve Criticality, Meeting Presidential Deadline
As of early July 2026, three advanced reactors—Antares Nuclear's Mark-0, Valar Atomics' Ward 250, and Deployable Energy's Unity—have achieved criticality, meeting a deadline set by President Trump's May 2025 executive order. The Valar Atomics reactor, Ward 250, was notably tested outside of a national laboratory at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab.
June 2026 — 4 developments
US Department of Energy Offers $17.5 Billion in Loans for Nuclear Reactors Amidst Criticality Milestones
The Department of Energy has offered up to $17.5 billion in conditional loans for 10 large nuclear reactors across five sites to revitalize the U.S. nuclear supply chain. This follows Valar Atomics' Ward 250 and Antares Nuclear's Mark-0 reactors achieving criticality milestones.
Valar Atomics' Ward250 Nuclear Reactor Achieves Criticality in Utah
Valar Atomics' Ward250 nuclear reactor achieved zero-power fueled criticality on June 19, 2026, at its Utah facility. This marks the first Department of Energy-authorized reactor built outside a national laboratory, with the company planning to commercialize its reactor starting in 2027.
Valar Atomics' Ward 250 Reactor Completes Criticality Demonstration in Utah
Valar Atomics' Ward 250 advanced reactor design successfully completed a zero-power fueled criticality demonstration at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab. This demonstration is a key step in the ongoing testing and evaluation of portable nuclear reactor technology.
Antares Nuclear Reactor Achieves Zero-Power Criticality in Idaho
Antares Nuclear's Mark-0 demonstrator reactor successfully achieved a zero-power criticality test at the Idaho National Laboratory on June 4, 2026. This milestone is a significant step in the Department of Energy's Reactor Pilot Program, which aims to have multiple advanced reactors reach criticality by July 4, 2026.
May 2026 — 1 developments
US Department of Energy Awards $94 Million for Small Nuclear Reactor Deployment
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded over $94 million to American companies to expedite the deployment of small nuclear reactors. This initiative supports the ongoing efforts to rapidly deploy nuclear power using strategic airlift, aligning with President Trump's executive orders on modernizing the nuclear energy landscape.
March 2026 — 2 developments
U.S. military transports micro nuclear reactor to Utah for testing
The U.S. military has transported a micro nuclear reactor, the Ward 250, to Utah as part of 'Operation Windlord,' utilizing three C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. The reactor, designed to generate 5 megawatts, will be tested at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab. This operation is a significant step in advancing portable nuclear technology.
TerraPower receives federal approval to build first next-gen nuclear plant in US
TerraPower LLC, a nuclear power company backed by Bill Gates, received federal approval on March 4, 2026, to build America's first commercial plant using next-generation reactor technology. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) granted TerraPower a construction permit for its Natrium reactor in Wyoming. The company expects the plant to be operational by 2031.
February 2026 — 5 developments
Pentagon and Energy Department airlift small nuclear reactor from California to Utah
The Pentagon and Energy Department airlifted a small nuclear reactor from California to Utah, demonstrating the potential for rapid nuclear power deployment. The reactor can generate up to 5 megawatts of electricity, enough to power approximately 5,000 homes. This initiative aligns with the Trump administration's push to promote nuclear energy for military and civilian use, including meeting demand from artificial intelligence and data centers.
Officials hold press conference at Hill Air Force Base to discuss reactor initiative
Following the reactor's arrival, a formal press conference was held at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, featuring key officials including the Secretary of Energy, Undersecretary of War, Governor of Utah, and CEO of Valar Atomics, to discuss the initiative and its implications for national security and energy dominance.
Mobile Nuclear Reactor Airlifted by C-17 Aircraft from California to Utah
A next-generation mobile nuclear reactor was successfully transported via C-17 aircraft from March Air Reserve Base in California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah. This historic airlift is the first time a nuclear reactor has been moved by this type of aircraft and is a crucial step in the testing and evaluation phase at the Utah San Rafael Energy Research Center.
War and Energy Departments Announce Joint Initiative to Transport and Test Valar Atomics Nuclear Reactor
The Department of War and Department of Energy officially announced the joint initiative to transport and test an advanced nuclear reactor developed by Valar Atomics, detailing the departure date and destination, and referencing Executive Order 14301 with a target of achieving reactor criticality by July 4, 2026.
Departments of War and Energy announce nuclear reactor transport from California to Utah
The Department of War and Department of Energy announced their partnership and the upcoming transport of a next-generation nuclear reactor, outlining the plan to move it from California to Utah for testing and evaluation, and setting a press conference for February 15th.
September 2023 — 1 developments
Air Force Selects Oklo Inc. to Build Micro-Reactor Facility
The Department of the Air Force, in collaboration with the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, selected Oklo Inc. to build and operate a micro-reactor facility, showing progress in integrating nuclear power at military installations.
April 2022 — 1 developments
U.S. Department of Defense Plans Mobile Nuclear Micro-Reactor for Field Power
The U.S. Department of Defense announced plans to build a mobile nuclear micro-reactor for field power supply, signaling continued interest and development in deployable nuclear energy solutions.
March 2021 — 1 developments
Pentagon awards contracts for transportable nuclear microreactor prototype
Contracts were awarded for the final prototype of the Pentagon's transportable nuclear microreactor, indicating early development stages for this technology.