US Air Force Airlifts Valar Atomics Ward250 Microreactor to Utah for Testing

Microreactor moved by C‑17 from California to Utah on 15 Feb The 5 MW Ward250 unit, without nuclear fuel, was loaded at March Air Reserve Base and flown to Hill Air Force Base as part of “Operation Windlord,” showcasing rapid deployment of nuclear power; Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Under Secretary of Defence for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey were aboard the flight. [1]

Ward250 chosen under DOE’s Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program Announced in June 2025, the program accelerates testing of advanced reactors outside national labs, targeting construction, operation, and criticality of at least three test reactors by 4 July 2026. [1]

Valar Atomics broke ground at Utah San Rafael Energy Lab In September the company began work at USREL, completed a non‑nuclear prototype called Ward Zero, and was selected alongside Terrestrial Energy, TRISO‑X and Oklo for a DOE pilot fuel‑line initiative. [1]

Fuel will be shipped separately from Nevada to Utah The reactor’s nuclear fuel will travel from the Nevada National Security site to the San Rafael facility, a detail reported by Reuters quoting Energy Secretary Wright. [1]

Ward250 can power roughly 5,000 homes and boost military energy security At 5 MW the reactor offers civilian grid‑independent electricity and, for bases or overseas operations, ensures missions are not vulnerable to civilian power disruptions. [1]

Duffey frames the airlift as a step toward faster warfighting power He said, “Powering next generation warfare will require us to move faster than our adversaries… Today is a monumental step toward building that system.” [1]