Overview
- Three USAF C-17s flew eight unfuelled Ward250 modules from March Air Reserve Base in California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah under Operation Windlord for transfer to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab.
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Pentagon acquisition chief Michael Duffey accompanied the flight and framed the move as progress toward rapidly deployable, resilient power for military bases and civilian emergencies.
- The Ward250, developed by Valar Atomics, uses TRISO fuel with helium cooling and graphite moderation, is rated at 5 megawatts—about 5,000 homes—and will begin Utah testing at roughly 100–250 kilowatts before scaling up.
- DOE says fuel for the Utah tests will come from the Nevada National Security Site, and officials are discussing pathways for spent-fuel management and waste disposition with interested states.
- Valar targets initial power sales in 2027 and full commercial operations in 2028, while federal policy and pilot programs continue to accelerate advanced reactor development.