U.S. Army invests in microreactors as Aalo reactor reaches criticality
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The U.S. Army announced significant investment in nuclear microreactor technology. Texas-based Aalo said its Critical Test Reactor achieved criticality in July. The Department of Energy supports advanced reactor designs under President Trump's goal to quadruple U.S. nuclear power by 2050.
Key Facts
- The U.S. Army announced significant investment in nuclear microreactor technology.
- Aalo's Critical Test Reactor achieved criticality in July, the company said.
- Microreactors are designed to generate between 1 MW and 20 MW of thermal energy.
- President Trump aims to quadruple U.S. nuclear power production by 2050.
- Microreactors can operate for up to 10 years without refuelling.
Microreactor Development
Microreactors are smaller than small modular reactors and can be transported by truck, boat, or plane. They are produced in factories and assembled on site, reducing capital costs and accelerating production. Most designs generate between 1 MW and 20 MW of thermal energy, which can be used for heat or converted to electricity. Microreactors run on a higher concentration of uranium-235 than conventional reactors. They can operate for up to 10 years without refuelling and be quickly replaced.
U.S. Government Support
The Department of Energy supports a variety of advanced reactor designs. President Trump has voiced support for conventional nuclear plants, SMRs, and microreactors. The administration aims to quadruple nuclear power production in the United States by 2050. The U.S. Army's investment signals a push toward deployment of microreactors for remote sites and emergency response.
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