Nuclear engineers at Rolls-Royce have been brought in to work on a $300 million US Department of Defense contract to build a full-scale transportable prototype micro nuclear reactor.
The engineering giant is working with aerospace company BWX Technologies, based in Lynchburg, Virginia, on a prototype power generator with the ability to be dismantled and moved about in traditional shipping containers. Called Project Pele, the plan is for it to be delivered for testing at the Idaho National Laboratory in 2024.
BWXT is the main lead on the deal, and will be responsible for building the gas-cooled reactor, but Rolls-Royce LibertyWorks – a US subsidiary based in Indianapolis – is among companies with key roles. In all, around 120 people will work on the project.
