Pele Program looks to expand nuclear power for US forces
The US DoD on 9 March awarded three contracts to BWX Technologies, Westinghouse Government Services and X-energy, to begin a two-year engineering and design competition for small mobile nuclear reactors.
The set of contracts is being referred to as the Pele Program.
The reactors will expand the availability of nuclear power to US forces stationed in the country as well as at bases across the world.
The combined contracts have been valued at $39.7 million and are being overseen by the DoD’s Strategic Capabilities Office.
An earlier attempt to expand the use of small mobile nuclear reactors was initiated as a result of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act.
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