US Air Force transport aircraft have delivered, for the first time, a portable nuclear reactor to support US military forces.
The information was shared on the US Department of War’s official X page. According to the department, the 5-megawatt reactor was transported by military cargo aircraft. C-17 Globemaster III.
This pioneering delivery demonstrated the U.S. Air Force’s ability to rapidly deploy such airborne systems in remote or potentially hazardous areas without relying on civilian power infrastructure.
The delivery was carried out in compliance with a presidential executive order dated May 23, 2025. This order required the deployment of advanced nuclear reactor technologies to strengthen national security.
On May 23, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to deploy advanced nuclear reactor technologies for national security purposes.
Yesterday, we took the next step toward achieving this historic mission. pic.twitter.com/hIEd1nlnmf
— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) February 16, 2026
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The reactor will meet the program Januslaunched by the US Army together with the Department of Energy. The initiative calls for the installation of small nuclear reactors at US military bases to increase energy independence and resilience.
Unlike the U.S. Navy’s reactors, which are owned by the federal government, the small reactors developed under the program Janus will be owned by private companies. The US Army will be responsible for supervising and monitoring its operation.
Meanwhile, the Department of Energy will support the project in three key areas: HALEU (high-enriched uranium uranium) fuel production, reactor prototype testing, and regulatory policy reform to accelerate the deployment of these technologies.
Photo: US Department of War This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
