Breakthrough in the USA: First-ever air transport of a nuclear reactor

The American Pentagon and the Department of Energy have carried out an unprecedented logistical undertaking that could revolutionize the way forward military bases and crisis-affected areas are powered. On Sunday, February 15, 2026, a heavy transport aircraft Boeing C-17 Globemaster III carried the microreactor Ward 250 from March Air Reserve Base in California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah. The entire operation is part of a broader strategy by the administration of President Donald Trump, aimed at modernizing the energy grid and increasing military independence. The reactor, manufactured by Valar Atomics, is the size of a large van, allowing it to be transported using standard logistical means. This is a key element of a project that officials refer to as the “second Manhattan Project”. During the flight, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Deputy Secretary of Defense Michael Duffey were present on board. Both officials emphasized that the ability to airlift a nuclear energy source is a milestone for national security. The device was transported without nuclear fuel to ensure full operational safety and compliance with civilian and military procedures. After landing in Utah, the reactor will be transported to the San Rafael Energy Research Center. There, experts will test its resilience to flight vibrations and the ease of reintegrating it with ground systems. Subsequent test phases will involve loading fuel and activating the unit under controlled laboratory conditions. Since the 1950s, scientists have been working on mobile nuclear reactors, but early projects, such as the ML-1, were too heavy and inefficient to find widespread use in air logistics. The prospects for using the new technology extend beyond the military sphere. The U.S. government assumes that microreactors could in the future replace expensive and non-ecological diesel generators in remote civilian communities or regions devastated by disasters. Microreactors of the Ward type feature a high degree of passive safety and the ability to operate for several years without the need for fuel replacement. The success of Sunday's flight proved that the nation's critical infrastructure can become mobile, drastically reducing response time to energy demands in crisis situations. Investments in next-generation nuclear energy are currently treated as a priority in the race for technological dominance. „This brings us closer to moving nuclear energy in time and to places where it is needed, so our soldiers have the tools to win battles.” — Michael Duffey700 miles — was the flight distance of the reactor between the basesCourse of the air operation: May 23, 2025 — Presidential decree; February 15, morning — Loading in California; February 15, noon — Landing in Utah; February 16 — Success announcement