Units could also be used for civilian applications like disaster response work
The US Department of Defence on Monday issued three contracts for companies to start design work on mobile, small nuclear reactors, as part of a plan towards achieving nuclear power for US forces at home and abroad.The DOD awarded contracts to Westinghouse Government Services of Washington for $11.9m; BWX Technologies of Virginia for $13.5m; and X-energy of Maryland for $14.3m, to begin a two-year engineering design competition for a nuclear microreactor designed to potentially be deployed with forces.The combined $39.7m in contracts are from Project Pele, a project to develop a prototype microreactor in the 1-5 MW power range. The Department of Energy has been supporting the project at its Idaho National Laboratory.
Want to know more?
Sign up.
- Independent news and information for and about the global nuclear industry
- For nuclear incidents, NucNet operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Daily, weekly and monthly newsletters
- Access to infographics for subscribers to use in their own editorial and marketing material
- Exclusive analysis and special reports on key nuclear industry topics
- Breaking news on social media
- Access to the 'NucNet Style Guide for Nuclear Reporters and Communicators'
- Access to NucNet editorial database containing more than 18,000 news articles and features from January 1991
- A reliable media and communications partner for the nuclear energy industry. Distribution of your industry news stories
- Manage your own preferences
- Get involved. Members can attend meetings and be part of NucNet's policy and editorial decision-making
Start Free Trial
