US military airlifts nuclear reactor modules to Utah for testing

The U.S. Department of War (DoW) and the Department of Energy announced on Sunday that a next-generation nuclear reactor, Ward250, had been successfully flown from March Air Reserve Base in California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah. The transport, carried out by a C‑17 Globemaster aircraft, marks the first time a complete set of reactor modules has been moved by air for the purpose of commercial‑technology testing.

The eight modules comprising the Ward250 will be loaded onto three aircraft as part of “Operation Windlord.” After landing at Hill AFB, the modules will be forwarded to the Utah San Rafael Energy Laboratory in Orangeville, where they will undergo a series of performance, safety, and integration tests.

The operation was conducted in partnership with Valar Atomics, a private firm that developed the Ward250 design. The collaboration aligns with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump that called for a “modernized and resilient” American nuclear energy sector. The order encourages public-private partnerships and the rapid deployment of innovative reactor concepts.

In a press release, the DoW said, “The successful delivery and installation of this reactor will unlock significant possibilities for the future of energy resilience and strategic independence for our nation's defense, showcasing an agile, innovative, and commercial-first approach to solving critical infrastructure challenges. By harnessing the power of advanced nuclear technology, we are not only enhancing our national security but championing a future of American energy dominance.”

A press conference held at Hill AFB after the arrival featured Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, Undersecretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey, Utah Governor Spencer Cox, and Valar Atomics CEO Isaiah Taylor.

Study shows AI tools are increasingly influencing investment decisions

A new survey by cryptocurrency exchange Bitpanda UK reveals that artificial‑intelligence (AI) tools are becoming a prominent source of financial education for British adults. Almost half of those surveyed – 46 % – say they trust ChatGPT to explain crypto-related concepts, while 30 % turn to AI platforms for a basic understanding of digital assets. Of the latter group, more than half (54 %) say they subsequently used AI-generated research to make investment decisions.

The findings arrive as crypto ownership continues to rise in the United Kingdom. Bitpanda estimates that around 6.5 million Britons currently hold cryptocurrency, and a further 15 % intend to invest in the future. Yet the study also highlights a persistent knowledge gap: 45 % of respondents say they do not understand digital assets well enough to invest, and 46 % admit they have heard of Bitcoin but cannot explain what it is or how to purchase it legally in the U.K.

Younger investors lead the surge

The data points to a generational divide. Among 18‑ to 24‑year‑olds, 40 % have already invested in crypto – nearly double the national average. Their primary motivations are long-term wealth building (46 %), portfolio diversification (35 %), and saving for family or children (33 %). The willingness to experiment with emerging technologies appears to be driving the shift toward digital‑asset exposure.

Policy response lags market behavior

The U.K. government’s recently unveiled Financial Inclusion Strategy aims to broaden financial education in schools, but critics note that the curriculum remains heavily weighted toward traditional products such as savings accounts, pensions, and equities.

Kevan Edgerton, U.K. Country Manager of Bitpanda, commented: “The increase in people using unsolicited financial education services such as ChatGPT and AI means the U.K. isn’t getting the education it needs to be responsible with its crypto investments. By modernizing financial literacy to include digital assets, we can help more people invest confidently and with a long-term mindset. The future of finance is already here. Education needs to catch up.”

Work begins to add science instruments aboard NASA’s new ‘Flying Laboratory’

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., has initiated a critical design and analysis phase for its next-generation airborne science platform. [Full story]