Hadron Energy and Paragon Energy Solutions Collaborate on Instrumentation and Control Architecture for Halo Micro-Modular Reactor
Hadron Energy, Inc. has announced the signing of a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Paragon Energy Solutions, a subsidiary of Mirion Technologies, to establish a collaborative framework for the design, development, and deployment of the Instrumentation and Control (I&C) architecture for Hadron’s Halo Micro-Modular Reactor (MMR) program. The agreement marks a significant step in Hadron’s strategy to partner with experienced nuclear technology providers while advancing the engineering and regulatory development of its next-generation nuclear reactor platform.
The partnership is focused on supporting the Halo MMR program, a micro-modular reactor concept designed to deliver safe, reliable, and scalable nuclear power for a wide range of energy applications. Instrumentation and control systems are among the most critical components of nuclear plant infrastructure, responsible for monitoring reactor conditions, managing operational parameters, and ensuring the safety of plant systems during normal operation and potential contingencies. Through this collaboration, Hadron and Paragon aim to ensure that these systems are designed and integrated according to rigorous nuclear industry standards from the earliest stages of the reactor’s development.
Scope of the Collaboration
Under the terms of the MOU, Paragon Energy Solutions will assist in shaping the overall I&C system architecture and integration framework for the Halo MMR. The work will include the development and coordination of both safety-related and non-safety I&C platforms. These systems must operate in harmony to manage everything from routine operational monitoring to emergency response functions, ensuring that the reactor operates within strict safety margins at all times.
Paragon’s role will involve helping to design the logic and control structures that govern reactor operations. This includes defining how signals from sensors and monitoring equipment will be interpreted and translated into automated responses or operator guidance. The company will also provide support in developing the human-machine interface (HMI), which serves as the primary control interface used by plant operators. Effective HMI design is essential for enabling operators to quickly understand plant conditions, respond to changing parameters, and maintain safe operations.
Another key aspect of the collaboration involves cybersecurity planning. As modern nuclear plants rely increasingly on digital systems and networked control platforms, robust cybersecurity measures are necessary to protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats. Paragon will contribute its expertise in developing secure control architectures to ensure the Halo MMR system meets industry and regulatory expectations for cyber resilience.
Supply of Nuclear-Grade Instrumentation
In addition to system architecture and integration support, Paragon Energy Solutions will supply the physical instrumentation and hardware necessary to implement the Halo reactor’s control systems. These components form the backbone of any nuclear facility’s monitoring and operational framework.
The hardware package is expected to include a range of specialized equipment such as nuclear-grade sensors, transmitters, control cabinets, networking infrastructure, and other field and control room devices. These components collect real-time data on critical parameters such as temperature, pressure, radiation levels, and reactor power output. That information is then transmitted to control systems that regulate reactor behavior and trigger protective actions if conditions deviate from predetermined safety limits.
By integrating hardware supply with system architecture development, the collaboration aims to ensure that the design of the control systems aligns closely with the physical equipment used in the reactor. This integrated approach helps minimize engineering challenges during later development phases and ensures smooth system deployment during plant construction and commissioning.
Supporting First-of-a-Kind Deployment
The initial focus of the collaboration will be on Hadron’s first-of-a-kind (FOAK) Halo MMR deployment. FOAK projects represent the first operational example of a new reactor design and are often considered the most complex phase of reactor commercialization. During this stage, engineering systems must demonstrate their functionality in real-world conditions while also satisfying strict regulatory requirements.
Paragon’s involvement at this stage is intended to help ensure that the Halo MMR’s I&C systems meet nuclear-grade performance and reliability standards from the outset. By engaging a specialized supplier early in the design process, Hadron hopes to streamline system validation, regulatory review, and operational readiness.
The MOU also leaves open the possibility of extending the collaboration beyond the initial deployment. If the Halo MMR platform moves into broader commercial rollout, Paragon could potentially support additional reactor units and provide standardized instrumentation and control solutions for a growing fleet of micro-modular reactors.
Integration with Licensing and Engineering Programs
Hadron emphasized that the partnership reflects its broader strategy of incorporating experienced industry partners into its design and licensing processes. Developing nuclear technology requires extensive engineering validation, regulatory review, and documentation to demonstrate safety and operational integrity. By involving key suppliers during the design phase, companies can ensure that system components are compatible with regulatory expectations and that design choices align with practical implementation requirements.
The MOU follows several important milestones for Hadron Energy. One of these includes the acceptance by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) of the company’s Quality Assurance Program Description (QAPD) topical report for review. The QAPD outlines the quality assurance processes that will guide the design, development, and deployment of the Halo reactor system. Acceptance of the report for review represents a key step in the regulatory engagement process, demonstrating that the company’s quality framework aligns with nuclear industry standards.
In parallel, Hadron has been advancing its corporate strategy, including plans for a public listing. The company recently filed a joint Form S-4 registration statement with GigCapital7 Corp. in connection with a proposed business combination that could lead to a public market listing valued at approximately $1.2 billion. This transaction is intended to provide additional capital to support the development and commercialization of the Halo micro-modular reactor technology.
Importance of Instrumentation and Control Systems
Instrumentation and control systems are often described as the “nervous system” of a nuclear plant. They continuously collect information from thousands of sensors throughout the facility and use that data to regulate plant operations. If abnormal conditions arise, the control systems can automatically initiate protective actions, such as adjusting reactor power levels or activating safety mechanisms designed to prevent accidents.
Because these systems play such a central role in maintaining nuclear safety, they must meet strict reliability and redundancy requirements. Nuclear I&C systems typically incorporate multiple layers of monitoring, backup systems, and fail-safe mechanisms to ensure that critical safety functions remain operational even if individual components fail.
Designing these systems requires specialized engineering expertise, extensive testing, and careful coordination with regulatory authorities. For advanced reactor developers like Hadron, building a robust I&C architecture is a fundamental part of demonstrating the safety and viability of new reactor technologies.
Strengthening the Halo MMR Development Path
By partnering with Paragon Energy Solutions, Hadron aims to accelerate the development of a fully integrated control system tailored specifically to the Halo MMR design. Early collaboration between reactor designers and instrumentation specialists can significantly improve system reliability and reduce integration risks during construction and commissioning.
The partnership also reflects a broader trend within the advanced nuclear sector. As new reactor technologies move toward commercialization, developers are increasingly forming strategic partnerships with experienced nuclear supply chain companies. These collaborations help ensure that complex systems such as instrumentation, digital controls, and safety platforms meet the rigorous standards required for nuclear deployment.
For Hadron Energy, securing an I&C partner with extensive experience in nuclear instrumentation represents a critical milestone in the progression of its reactor program. By integrating high-quality monitoring and control systems from the earliest design stages, the company aims to reinforce the safety, reliability, and operational readiness of its micro-modular reactor technology.
As the Halo MMR program continues to advance through engineering development, regulatory review, and eventual deployment, the collaboration between Hadron and Paragon is expected to play a key role in shaping the reactor’s operational infrastructure. Through this partnership, the companies aim to deliver a control architecture capable of supporting safe and efficient nuclear energy generation in next-generation micro-modular reactor facilities.
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