Rockwell Automation Selected by Aalo Atomics for Nuclear Reactor Test Project
ControlLogix platform to support reactor operations, system reliability and accelerated development
Published July 21, 2026
Aalo Atomics' Aalo-X test reactor, supported by Rockwell Automation's control platform technology. Photo credit: Aalo Atomics
Rockwell Automation announced that Aalo Atomics, a company building modular nuclear plants to power modern AI data centers, has selected Rockwell as the control platform provider for its Aalo-X test reactor.
The collaboration supports Aalo's participation in the U.S. Department of Energy Reactor Pilot Program, an initiative to accelerate the development, authorization and validation of advanced nuclear technologies. Aalo reached criticality on its pilot reactor in June, marking a significant milestone for next-generation nuclear deployment in the United States.
Rockwell Automation provides integrated control and information solutions, including its ControlLogix platform, to support reactor operations, system reliability and accelerated development timelines. The platform is designed to deliver safe, scalable control for a first-of-its-kind reactor system across the full lifecycle, from design to operation.
"This collaboration highlights the growing need for proven industrial control systems to enable new energy technologies at scale," said Brian Holte, VP, Global Industry Sales at Rockwell Automation. "By supporting Aalo's path to first criticality, we're demonstrating how flexible, resilient platforms can accelerate the commercialization of advanced reactor designs."
Aalo's Aalo-X test reactor serves as a testbed for rapid innovation in modular reactor technology, allowing real-world validation of system performance and operational readiness. Through the DOE pilot program, Aalo has demonstrated a streamlined pathway to advance next-generation nuclear capabilities in a live environment.
"Rockwell brings deep expertise in mission-critical control systems that are essential for achieving our accelerated program milestones," said Yasir Arafat, President & CTO, Aalo Atomics. "Having a trusted automation partner is key to executing safely and efficiently and will help us pave the way towards commercial power."
The project positions Rockwell as a key enabler of emerging nuclear technologies and reinforces its role in supporting energy transition efforts through advanced automation and digital solutions. The companies will continue to collaborate as the program advances, with the Aalo-X test reactor serving as a foundation for future commercial deployments.
