Valar Atomics' microreactor was airlifted via C-17 from California to Utah, marking a first for U.S. military nuclear transport. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Defense Under Secretary Michael Duffey emphasized the reactor’s role in powering military bases and data centers, aligning with Trump’s executive orders to fast-track advanced nuclear projects.

The 5-megawatt unit, capable of powering 5,000 homes, will be tested at Utah’s San Rafael Energy Lab, with fuel sourced from Nevada’s National Security Site. Officials touted the move as a “nuclear renaissance,” though safety experts like Edwin Lyman of the Union of Concerned Scientists dismissed the demonstration as a “dog-and-pony show,” citing unresolved risks around fuel transport and waste disposal.