The Department of War successfully airlifted a next-generation nuclear reactor from California to Utah, marking a significant step in advancing U.S. nuclear energy capabilities for military use.
The Department of War transported a next-generation nuclear reactor aboard a C-17 aircraft from California to Utah on Sunday. This operation is part of President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at modernizing America’s nuclear energy infrastructure and enhancing national security.
The reactor was flown from March Air Reserve Base in California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah. Following its arrival, it is expected to be moved to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab in Orangeville for testing and evaluation. This process is crucial for assessing how advanced nuclear systems can support military installations and remote defense operations.
Images shared by the Department of War on social media platform X depicted the reactor being loaded onto the C-17 aircraft. The agency stated, “We’re advancing President Trump’s executive order on nuclear energy. Moments from now, we will airlift a next-generation nuclear reactor.”
Officials from the Department of War emphasized that the successful delivery and installation of the reactor will create new opportunities for energy resilience and strategic independence for the nation’s defense. They described their approach as agile, innovative, and focused on commercial solutions to critical infrastructure challenges.
“By harnessing the power of advanced nuclear technology, we are not only enhancing our national security but championing a future of American energy dominance,” the agency noted in a press release. “This event is a testament to the ingenuity of the American spirit and a critical advancement in securing our nation’s freedom and strength for generations to come.”
In May, President Trump signed several executive orders aimed at expanding domestic nuclear energy development. At that time, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum remarked that America had led the postwar world in nuclear technology until it became “stagnated” and burdened by overregulation.
War Secretary Pete Hegseth asserted that the U.S. would maintain operational capabilities, stating, “We are going to have the lights on and AI operating when others are not because of our nuclear capabilities.”
One of Trump’s directives focused on reforming research and development within the Energy Department, expediting reactor testing at national laboratories, and establishing a pilot program for new construction.
The White House has indicated that nuclear energy is essential for powering next-generation technologies that secure the nation’s industrial, digital, and economic dominance while achieving energy independence and safeguarding national security.
This nuclear expansion initiative is part of a broader administration effort to bolster domestic energy production and enhance grid reliability across various sectors. Shortly after the reactor transport, Trump signed another executive order directing the Department of War to collaborate with coal-fired power plants on long-term power purchasing agreements. This move aims to ensure “more reliable power and stronger and more resilient grid power.”
The order, titled “Strengthening United States National Defense with America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Power Generation Fleet,” emphasizes the importance of a resilient and reliable electric grid, stating that it should not rely on intermittent energy sources. It further declares, “The foundation of our national defense as well as our economic stability” lies within the electric grid.
In conclusion, the Department of War’s successful airlift of the next-generation nuclear reactor marks a pivotal moment in the U.S. commitment to advancing nuclear energy capabilities for military applications, reinforcing both national security and energy independence, according to Fox News Digital.