Department of War transports next-generation nuclear reactor

The reactor was flown from California to Utah as part of an effort to modernize America's nuclear energy infrastructure and strengthen national security.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

The Department of War on Sunday transported a next-generation nuclear reactor aboard a C-17 from California to Utah, advancing President Donald Trump's executive order to modernize America's nuclear energy infrastructure and strengthen U.S. national security. The reactor will be transported to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab in Orangeville for testing and evaluation.

Why it matters

This event is part of a broader administration push to reinforce domestic energy production and grid reliability across multiple sectors, with nuclear energy seen as crucial to powering next-generation technologies, achieving energy independence, and protecting national security.

The details

The successful delivery and installation of the reactor will open new possibilities for energy resilience and strategic independence for the nation's defense, highlighting what officials described as an agile, innovative and commercial-first approach to addressing critical infrastructure challenges.

  • The reactor was transported on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
  • The reactor will be transported to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab in Orangeville for testing and evaluation.

The players

Department of War

The U.S. federal department responsible for national defense and military operations.

President Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who signed executive orders aimed at expanding domestic nuclear energy development.

Utah San Rafael Energy Lab

A research facility in Orangeville, Utah where the next-generation nuclear reactor will be tested and evaluated.

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What’s next

The successful delivery and installation of the reactor will open new possibilities for energy resilience and strategic independence for the nation's defense.

The takeaway

This nuclear reactor transport is a significant milestone in the administration's efforts to modernize America's nuclear energy infrastructure and strengthen national security through advanced nuclear technology.