Highwise Tech
U.S.

Defense Department Selected BWXT for Mobile Microreactor

The Project Pele initiative aims to deploy transportable nuclear power to military sites by 2027.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Nuclear

Isometric editorial illustration of a modular industrial reactor core unit rendered in flat matte colors on a neutral background.
The U.S. Defense Department selected BWXT to develop a transportable microreactor unit, aiming to reduce military reliance on vulnerable fuel supply chains by 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe nuclear energy should play a larger role in meeting our national power needs?

In 2022, the U.S. Defense Department selected BWXT to develop Project Pele, a mobile microreactor designed for military use. The system is currently in development to provide a portable energy source.

Why it matters

Military operations require mobile power to reduce reliance on vulnerable diesel fuel supply chains. This project marks a shift toward localized, high-density energy generation for field deployment.

Project Pele is designed to generate 1.5 megawatts of electricity and fits within a standard shipping container. It utilizes tri-structural isotropic fuel to maintain energy density.

The players

BWXT

A nuclear component manufacturer providing reactor design and fuel fabrication for government and commercial energy markets.

Defense Department

The federal executive department responsible for national security and the administration of military supply chains.

Idaho National Laboratory

A Department of Energy research facility focused on nuclear energy innovation and large-scale testing.

The details

BWXT utilizes physical mockups to refine construction processes for the microreactor. The reactor operates as a high-temperature gas-cooled system, a design that uses gas rather than liquid to transfer heat from the reactor core. This architecture facilitates the transportable nature of the unit while supporting the high energy output required for military applications.

Timeline

  1. 2022: BWXT was selected by the Defense Department for Project Pele.

  2. 2024: Construction began at the BWXT facility.

  3. March 2026: A Gallup poll measured public support for nuclear energy.

  4. 2027: The system is scheduled for shipment to Idaho National Laboratory.

The Tech Race

Project Pele serves as a specialized defense application within the broader national push for small modular and micro-nuclear reactors. It follows a multi-year research trajectory focused on moving nuclear power from fixed-site infrastructure into portable, modular formats.

The development of Project Pele directly impacts military logistics, potentially replacing conventional diesel-based power supplies with high-density nuclear units. Commercial adoption of these mobile microreactors remains contingent on the success of the multi-year testing phase at the Idaho site.

The takeaway

This project underscores the strategic pivot toward mobile, long-duration power sources for national defense infrastructure. Stakeholders should track the 2027 shipment milestone and the subsequent performance metrics during the three-year trial at the Idaho National Laboratory.

What happens next

The reactor is scheduled to undergo three years of testing and operation at the Idaho National Laboratory beginning after its 2027 arrival.

Further reading

For additional context on the shift toward compact nuclear power, see the Nuclear section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Axios.

Live Poll

Do you believe nuclear energy should play a larger role in meeting our national power needs?