Defense Department Selected BWXT for Mobile Reactor
The Pentagon chose BWXT in 2022 to build a transportable nuclear microreactor known as Project Pele.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Nuclear
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In 2022, the U.S. Defense Department selected BWXT to engineer a mobile nuclear microreactor designated as Project Pele. This system is designed to provide portable power for military operations while reducing reliance on traditional diesel fuel.
Why it matters
Military units require reliable, portable energy sources to minimize vulnerabilities associated with long, diesel-dependent supply lines in the field. This microreactor technology offers a self-contained solution for remote power needs.
Project Pele is designed to generate 1.5 megawatts of electricity using tri-structural isotropic fuel. The system is engineered to fit within a shipping container to ensure transportability to remote locations.
The players
BWXT
BWXT is a nuclear engineering and manufacturing firm that provides specialized products and services to the U.S. government.
Idaho National Laboratory
Idaho National Laboratory is a Department of Energy research facility that hosts large-scale testing of nuclear energy systems.
The details
BWXT utilizes physical mockups at its Lynchburg, Virginia facility to streamline the manufacturing and construction process of the reactor components. Following the initial development phases, the company plans to build and operate a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor at Fort Campbell.
Timeline
The Defense Department selected BWXT for Project Pele in 2022.
Ground breaking at the BWXT facility occurred in 2024.
A Gallup poll in March 2026 recorded public sentiment on nuclear power.
Shipment of the system to Idaho National Laboratory is scheduled for 2027.
Deeper Dive
This project follows a pattern set by the Department of Energy's Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation project regarding the development of small-scale nuclear systems. It shifts the nuclear sector away from centralized grid reliance toward modular, field-deployable units.
This technology could eventually lead to more resilient power infrastructure for remote civilian sites, potentially lowering energy costs in off-grid regions. The modular design suggests a future where compact nuclear power provides reliable electricity without extensive grid connectivity.
The takeaway
The transition to portable nuclear power reflects a broader push to harden national security through energy independence. Readers interested in energy infrastructure can monitor the results of the 2027 Idaho testing period to gauge the viability of modular reactor technology.
What happens next
The completed microreactor system is scheduled for shipment to the Idaho National Laboratory in 2027, where it will undergo testing and operation for a three-year duration.
Further reading
Learn more about advancements in this field in the Nuclear section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.
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