The Department of War said it is partnering with the Department of Energy on what officials described as a landmark initiative to advance next-generation nuclear power for national security applications.
Under the collaboration, a reactor developed by private-sector firm Valar Atomics will be transported Sunday aboard a C-17 aircraft from March Air Reserve Base in California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah. The reactor will then be moved to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab in Orangeville, Utah, for testing and evaluation.
Defense officials said the effort aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at modernizing the nation’s nuclear energy capabilities and strengthening domestic energy resilience.
The initiative reflects growing Pentagon interest in small, advanced nuclear systems that can provide reliable power for military installations and forward operations, reducing dependence on vulnerable fuel supply chains. Defense planners have increasingly highlighted energy resilience as a strategic priority, particularly amid rising geopolitical tensions and threats to critical infrastructure.
“This collaboration will unlock significant possibilities for the future of energy resilience and strategic independence for our nation’s defense,” the department said in a statement, describing the project as an “agile, innovative, and commercial-first approach” to infrastructure challenges.
Advanced nuclear reactors—often referred to as small modular or microreactors—have drawn bipartisan interest in Washington as potential tools for decarbonization and grid reliability. The Defense and Energy departments have previously explored pilot projects to deploy such systems on military bases.
A press conference is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Mountain Time at Hill Air Force Base following the reactor’s arrival. Speakers are expected to include Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Undersecretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, and Valar Atomics CEO Isaiah Taylor.
Officials said the project is intended to demonstrate how commercial nuclear innovation can be integrated into national defense planning, potentially paving the way for broader deployment if testing proves successful.
