US military and energy departments partner on next-generation nuclear reactor

2026-02-16 - 10:25

At March Air Reserve Base in California, a next-generation nuclear reactor was loaded aboard a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft for transport to Hill Air Force Base in Utah, according to the Department of War's official announcement. The reactor, designated Ward 250, is a 5-megawatt unit compact enough for military air transport and capable of powering approximately 5,000 homes. It will eventually undergo testing at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab. Strategic energy independence for military installations The collaboration aims to strengthen energy security at military facilities by reducing dependence on civilian power grids and vulnerable fuel supply lines. Officials emphasized the project aligns with President Donald Trump's executive orders modernizing America's nuclear energy sector. Undersecretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael P. Duffey described the partnership as critically important, noting that future warfare will demand exponentially greater energy resources for artificial intelligence data centers, directed energy weapons, and space and cyber infrastructure. Removing barriers to nuclear expansion Energy Secretary Chris Wright credited recent executive actions with clearing obstacles that had constrained the US nuclear industry. "The transfer of small reactors signals the start of an American nuclear renaissance," Wright stated, emphasizing the role of private investment and technological innovation in revitalizing the sector. The initiative represents a significant step toward integrating advanced nuclear capabilities into national defense infrastructure while demonstrating portable reactor technology's potential for broader civilian applications. Military-civilian nuclear collaboration The project exemplifies growing convergence between defense requirements and energy innovation. By demonstrating that powerful reactors can be transported via standard military aircraft, the partnership opens possibilities for rapid deployment of energy resources in remote or contested environments. For international partners including Türkiye, a NATO ally with its own energy security considerations, the development highlights evolving approaches to resilient power generation within alliance defense planning. The successful testing and evaluation at Utah's San Rafael Energy Lab could influence future energy strategies for military installations worldwide.