UK-based Nuclear Transport Solutions and US nuclear giant Westinghouse have signed a landmark agreement to accelerate the safe transport of advanced nuclear fuel, strengthening
transatlantic energy security.
UK and US nuclear experts have taken a major step forward in clean energy cooperation after Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS) and Westinghouse signed a strategic partnership to develop a next-generation nuclear fuel transport system.
The agreement focuses on Pegasus, NTS’s pioneering transport package designed to safely move High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) — a new, more efficient nuclear fuel expected to power the next wave of advanced reactors.
The deal was formally signed at the British Embassy in Washington DC, during a high-profile event highlighting the UK and US commitment to expanding nuclear energy as a reliable, low-carbon power source.
Enabling the future of advanced nuclear power
HALEU is seen as a critical enabler of advanced reactor technologies, which promise greater efficiency and flexibility compared with traditional nuclear plants. These reactors are expected to play a growing role in delivering secure, homegrown energy, while supporting fast-growing, power-hungry sectors such as artificial intelligence and advanced computing.
Under the agreement, NTS and Westinghouse will collaborate on the design, safety and regulatory development of the Pegasus transport system. The partnership formalises the sharing of technical expertise, safety standards and engineering knowledge, helping to speed up deployment in both the UK and the US.
Strengthening UK-US energy security
The collaboration reinforces transatlantic energy security at a time when both countries are seeking reliable alternatives to fossil fuels. It also supports wider efforts to expand new nuclear projects, ensuring fuel can be transported safely, securely and in full compliance with international regulations.
Ben Whittard, NTS Co-CEO, said: “This partnership allows us to deliver our expertise in the secure transport of advanced nuclear fuel in the UK and US. The growth of AI and the need for reliable, ultra-low carbon energy demonstrates the importance of nuclear power in our future, and we’re thrilled to be at the forefront of its development.”
Backed by government and decades of experience
NTS brings more than 50 years of international nuclear transport experience and is widely recognised as a trusted specialist in the safe and secure movement of nuclear materials.
In 2024, the UK government awarded NTS £10.5 million to lead the development of the country’s HALEU transport capability. As part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), NTS also benefits from close ties to government and access to some of the UK’s most advanced nuclear expertise.
Sophie Lemaire, Interim Co-President of Westinghouse Nuclear Fuel, said: “We are very pleased with our new collaboration with NTS to co-develop the Pegasus HALEU transport package. This is an important step in making HALEU available in the US and UK”.
A milestone for the nuclear sector
The agreement marks another significant moment in what industry leaders have described as a new golden age of UK-US nuclear cooperation. By addressing one of the most complex challenges in advanced nuclear development — fuel transport — the partnership is expected to help unlock further investment and accelerate the rollout of next-generation reactors.
Ultimately, the deal supports both countries’ ambitions to deliver cleaner, more secure and domestically produced energy, while reinforcing nuclear power’s role in the global transition to net zero.
Minister for Nuclear Lord Vallance said: “Developing our own capability to make and transport advanced nuclear fuel is critical to shoring up our position as a nuclear world leader.
Not only does this improve our energy security at home and reduce our reliance on Russian nuclear fuel, it provides export opportunities to grow our economy and ensure our allies can build resilient supply chains.
This agreement builds on our close co-operation with the US on nuclear energy”.
NDA Group CEO, David Peattie, said: “This agreement is yet another example of how the NDA group is driving forward the Government’s ambition to become a clean energy superpower.
Pegasus represents a transformative step in advancing the UK’s energy independence and low-carbon ambitions, unlocking export potential and cementing the nation’s role as a world leader in nuclear innovation.
It also further reinforces NTS’s place as a global leader in delivering safe, secure, and dependable nuclear transport and logistics solutions”.
British Embassy in Washington Chargé d’Affaires, James Roscoe, said: “Between the UK and the US, our commitment to developing new frontiers in nuclear energy is shifting from promise to reality - and this partnership between NTS and Westinghouse is a prime example of that ambition.
This deal will see British and American innovators deepen collaboration on engineering, safety, regulatory understanding, and fuel handling expertise – ensuring that our two nations maintain the technological edge in nuclear energy”.