US Military Transports Next-Generation Nuclear Reactor 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 on February 15, 2026, marking the first time a nuclear reactor has been moved by this type of aircraft. As of March 4, 2026, TerraPower LLC received federal approval to build America's first commercial plant using next-generation reactor technology, with operations expected by 2031. The Pentagon and Energy Department airlifted the small nuclear reactor, capable of generating up to 5 megawatts of electricity, to demonstrate rapid nuclear power deployment, aligning with the Trump administration's push for nuclear energy. Key officials, including the Secretary of Energy and Governor of Utah, held a press conference at Hill Air Force Base to discuss the initiative's implications for national security and energy dominance. The Department of War and Department of Energy announced this joint initiative on February 14, 2026, targeting reactor criticality by July 4, 2026, at the Utah San Rafael Energy Research Center.
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2026
6 updatesTerraPower 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.
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.
via apnews.com
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.
via foxnews.com
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.
via foxnews.com
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.
via foxnews.com
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.
via foxnews.com
2023
1 update
2023
1 updateThe 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.
via foxnews.com
2022
1 update
2022
1 updateThe 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.
via foxnews.com
2021
1 update
2021
1 updateContracts were awarded for the final prototype of the Pentagon's transportable nuclear microreactor, indicating early development stages for this technology.
via foxnews.com
2026
Story began · 27 days ago