Pentagon Air-Lifts First Microreactor in US Nuclear Power Push
A small nuclear reactor has been airlifted by the Pentagon and the US Department of Energy in a key move to expand nuclear power nationwide. The Ward 250, a 5-megawatt microreactor, was transported aboard a military aircraft, marking a milestone in President Trump's push for an 'American nuclear renaissance'. Officials on board the flight praised the project as a turning point for domestic energy independence.
The unfueled components of the Ward 250 microreactor were flown from California to Utah on a C-17 aircraft. Once assembled, the reactor will undergo testing at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab. If successful, it could eventually power around 5,000 homes.
President Trump has set an ambitious timeline for nuclear expansion, aiming to have three microreactors operational by July 4. Four executive orders were issued to speed up domestic deployment. Valar Atomics, the company behind the Ward 250, plans to achieve criticality soon, with test power sales expected by 2027 and full commercial operation in 2028.
Microreactors like the Ward 250 are designed for portability, offering a deployable energy source for remote areas. Unlike traditional generators, they require less frequent refuelling. However, critics highlight unresolved challenges, including radioactive waste disposal and the high cost of nuclear-generated electricity. So far, no additional US sites beyond a research partnership in South Carolina have been confirmed for testing or operating similar reactors.
The Ward 250's arrival in Utah signals progress in the US government's nuclear energy strategy. With testing now underway, the reactor's performance will determine whether microreactors can meet energy demands cost-effectively. The project's success or failure may shape future decisions on nuclear expansion across the country.
