C-17 Transports Nuclear Microreactor for the First Time

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In a historic mission known as Operation Windlord, the US Department of Defense airlifted a compact nuclear reactor from March Air Reserve Base in California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah using a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III on February 15, 2026. The unfueled Ward 250 reactor, developed by Hawthorne-based Valar Atomics, will undergo assessments at the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab before reaching initial operations capability by July 2026.

Why it matters

The successful airlift of the microreactor demonstrates the Department of Defense's ability to rapidly deploy next-generation power systems that can operate independently of traditional fuel supply chains, reducing reliance on vulnerable and logistically demanding fuel convoys. Portable nuclear reactors like the Ward 250 could reinforce base energy security and reduce dependence on civilian power grids.

The details

The C-17 airlifter flew the unfueled Ward 250 reactor under a partnership between the Department of Energy and Valar Atomics. Once the C-17 landed, a logistics team from the 67th Aerial Port Squadron, 151st Air Transportation Flight, and 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron carefully unloaded and transferred the reactor. The Ward 250 is designed to operate at 100 kilowatts upon fielding and peak at 250 kilowatts, with a power capacity of 5 megawatts that could generate electricity for approximately 5,000 homes.

• On February 15, 2026, the US Department of Defense airlifted the nuclear microreactor from California to Utah.
• The reactor will reach initial operations capability by July 2026.

What’s next

The Ward 250 reactor is set to begin operating at 100 kilowatts upon fielding and peak at 250 kilowatts this year before ramping up to its full 5 megawatt capacity.