Department of War transports next-generation reactor in nuclear energy milestone

The reactor was flown from March Air Reserve Base in California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah and is expected to be transported to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab in Orangeville for testing and evaluation - a key step in assessing how advanced nuclear systems could support military installations and remote defense operations.

The Department of War shared images on X showing the reactor loaded onto the C-17 aircraft.

The Department of War said the successful delivery and installation of the reactor will open new possibilities for energy resilience and strategic independence for the nation's defense, highlighting what officials described as an agile, innovative and commercial-first approach to addressing critical infrastructure challenges.

"By harnessing the power of advanced nuclear technology, we are not only enhancing our national security but championing a future of American energy dominance," the agency said in a press release. "This event is a testament to the ingenuity of the American spirit and a critical advancement in securing our nation's freedom and strength for generations to come."

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Department of War for additional comment.

In May, President Donald Trump signed several executive orders aimed at expanding domestic nuclear energy development. At the time, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said America led the postwar world on "all things nuclear" until it "stagnated" and was "choked with overregulation."

The nuclear expansion effort is part of a broader administration push to reinforce domestic energy production and grid reliability across multiple sectors.

The order, "Strengthening United States National Defense with America's Beautiful Clean Coal Power Generation Fleet," states, "The United States must ensure that our electric grid … remains resilient and reliable, and not reliant on intermittent energy sources," calling the grid "the foundation of our national defense as well as our economic stability."

Fox News Digital's Jasmine Baehr and Charles Creitz contributed to this report.