U.S. Transports First Nuclear Microreactor by Air to Showcase Technology

The Department of Energy and Department of Defense flew a small nuclear reactor from California to Utah on a C-17 cargo plane.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense transported a small nuclear reactor on a cargo plane from California to Utah on Sunday to demonstrate the potential to quickly deploy nuclear power for military and civilian use. The agencies partnered with California-based Valar Atomics to fly one of the company's Ward microreactors on a C-17 aircraft to Hill Air Force Base in Utah, without nuclear fuel. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Under Secretary of Defense Michael Duffey were on the flight and hailed the event as a breakthrough for U.S. nuclear energy and military logistics.

Why it matters

The U.S. government sees small nuclear reactors as a way to expand domestic energy production for national security and technological advancement. Proponents argue microreactors can provide power in remote locations, but critics say the industry has not proven they can generate electricity at a reasonable cost compared to renewables.

The details

The microreactor transported is a little larger than a minivan and can generate up to 5 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 5,000 homes. It will start operating in July at 100 kilowatts and peak at 250 kilowatts this year before ramping up to full capacity. Valar Atomics, the California-based company that owns the reactor, hopes to start selling power on a test basis in 2027 and become fully commercial in 2028.

  • The transport of the microreactor took place on Sunday, February 17, 2026.
  • The microreactor is expected to reach 'criticality' - when a nuclear reaction can sustain itself - by July 4, 2026.
  • Valar Atomics plans to start selling power from the microreactor on a test basis in 2027 and become fully commercial in 2028.

The players

Chris Wright

Energy Secretary.

Michael Duffey

Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

Valar Atomics

A California-based company that owns the microreactor transported.

Isaiah Taylor

CEO of Valar Atomics.

Edwin Lyman

Director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists.

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What they’re saying

“This gets us closer to deploy nuclear power when and where it is needed to give our nation's warfighters the tools to win in battle.”

— Michael Duffey, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment

“There is no business case for microreactors, which — even if they work as designed — will produce electricity at a far higher cost than large nuclear reactors, not to mention renewables like wind or solar.”

— Edwin Lyman, Director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists

What’s next

The Energy Department plans to have three microreactors reach 'criticality' by July 4, 2026.

The takeaway

The U.S. government's demonstration of transporting a nuclear microreactor by air highlights its efforts to advance small-scale nuclear technology for both military and civilian applications, despite ongoing concerns about the economic viability and waste management challenges of these reactors compared to renewable energy sources.