The United States military has airlifted a miniature nuclear reactor for the first time, marking a milestone in efforts to expand advanced nuclear power and strengthen energy security at military bases.

Three C-17 transport aircraft carried components of the unfueled Valar Atomics Ward 250 reactor from March Air Reserve Base in California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah. The reactor will later be transferred to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab for testing and evaluation.

The Ward 250 is a 5-megawatt compact nuclear reactor designed to fit inside a C-17 aircraft. Company officials say it could theoretically generate enough electricity to power approximately 5,000 homes. Initial testing will begin at 250 kilowatts before scaling up to its full 5-megawatt capacity.

The airlift aligns with a broader policy push to expand nuclear energy infrastructure. On May 23, 2025, President Donald Trump signed four executive orders aimed at reinvigorating the nuclear industrial base and accelerating deployment of advanced nuclear reactor technologies for national security purposes.

Officials emphasized that energy resilience is increasingly central to defense strategy. Utah Governor Spencer Cox described reliable, deployable power as critical to national security, while Undersecretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael P. Duffey highlighted close coordination between the Departments of Energy and War to advance nuclear initiatives.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright characterized the move as part of a broader “nuclear renaissance,” stressing the role of private capital and American innovation in reviving the sector.

The reactor utilizes TRISO fuel—uranium kernels encapsulated in ceramic layers—and helium cooling instead of water. For military applications, such compact reactors could reduce reliance on civilian grids and ensure uninterrupted power for critical operations.