** Shares of NANO Nuclear Energy NNE.O up 2.9% at $29.89 premarket
** Nuclear technology company says it has been selected by the U.S. Army's xTech program to advance to the finals pitch event of the xTechSearch 9 competition
** xTech program is led by the U.S. Army to engage with technology companies to develop dual-use solutions that can meet critical defense needs
** NNE says advancing to the finals provides the company the opportunity to showcase its capabilities directly to Army decision-makers
** As of last close, shares are up 16.7% YTD
(Reporting by Katha Kalia in Bengaluru)
((katha.kalia@thomsonreuters.com;))