US Ward250 Microreactor Completes First Airlift Test, Ground Evaluation to Begin

The Ward250 microreactor (without fuel), developed through a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of Energy (DOE), and Valar Atomics, has successfully completed its first airlift test. Three C-17 transport aircraft delivered the unit from California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah. It will subsequently be transported to the Utah Rafael Energy Laboratory (URSEL) for testing and evaluation.

The Ward250 is a compact, van-sized micro modular nuclear reactor that employs TRISO nuclear fuel and helium cooling technology. With a daily output of 120 MWh, it can power approximately 5,000 households. Its successful airlift verifies the deployability of this microreactor technology to remote areas, military bases, and disaster relief scenarios. Utah has already initiated supporting preparations in legislation, regulation, and infrastructure.

The successful airlift test of the micro nuclear reactor provides a revolutionary energy solution for military operations and disaster response, while opening new avenues for distributed energy supply in civilian sectors such as industrial heating and data centers. With ongoing advancements in supporting laws and infrastructure, such rapidly deployable micro nuclear reactors are poised to become a key element in future energy security and geopolitical strategic competition.