The US on 15 February conducted its first air transport of a nuclear microreactor, flying the unit aboard a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft from California to Utah in a move designed to demonstrate how advanced nuclear power could be rapidly deployed for military and civilian use.

The next-generation Ward 250 nuclear reactor was loaded aboard a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft at March Air Reserve Base, California, for transport to Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The reactor will eventually head to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab for testing and evaluation.

The reactor, developed by California-based Valar Atomics, was transported without nuclear fuel.