The Deep End #78
Oklo to deploy first military micro-reactor in Alaska
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USAF taps Oklo for military's first nuclear micro-reactor in Alaska
In a major milestone for modular nuclear power on the way to the mainstream, the US Department of the Air Force has issued a Notice of Intent to Award (NOITA) to Oklo that may lead to the construction and operation of a military reactor in Fairbanks, Alaska.
If a contract is awarded, it will be for a 30-year power fixed-price purchase agreement after securing an NRC license that will include construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of the reactor.
Tech Terrain
Defense Tech
US firm launches innovation lab to combat evolving drone threats
Trend to watch: The initiative aims to address the growing need for precision technologies capable of neutralizing unmanned threats across multi-domain battlefields.
Mach Industries Raises $100 Million in Series B Funding to Advance U.S. Defense Manufacturing
Space
Varda to launch its first in-house built spacecraft for on-orbit manufacturing
Trend to watch: The company secured a Federal Aviation Administration five-year reentry license that allows unlimited landings in Australia
Integrate won a 5-year $25M Phase III SBIR from the Space Force for its project management software
Future Mobility
Five Nations Link Arms To Move AAM Into The Future
Trend to watch: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Canadian Transport Canada and New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced their Roadmap for Advanced Air Mobility Aircraft Type Certification during this month’s Paris Air Show.
Advanced Computing
Booz Allen Ventures invested in ConductorAI, a company using AI to speed up federal admin tasks
Why this matters: ConductorAI eliminates the need for agencies to wait on full system upgrades or migrations before harnessing the power of AI, allowing them to advance innovation in critical missions within the DoD.
Semiconductor startup Volantis raises $9M in seed funding