The U.S. Army announced Wednesday its plan to build nuclear microreactors at five military bases across the country, from New York to Texas. This initiative aims to provide a reliable source of energy that is independent of the commercial electric grid, enhancing energy resilience for critical infrastructure.
The program, part of the Army's "Janus Program" launched last year, seeks to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation nuclear energy. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll stated that these microreactors will deliver "safe, reliable baseload power directly to our installations," enabling the military to "project combat power globally, without relying on potentially vulnerable external grids."
Five companies have been selected to participate, with potential awards totaling up to $2.2 billion over five years, contingent on meeting performance milestones. These companies will be responsible for owning, constructing, and operating the microreactors. The Army anticipates the eventual construction of more than 20 such reactors.
Company Selections and Locations
The selected companies and their designated bases are: Antares Nuclear at Fort Bragg in North Carolina; BWX Technologies at Fort Campbell in Kentucky; General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems at Fort Hood in Texas; Radiant Industries at Fort Benning in Georgia; and Westinghouse Government Services at Fort Drum in New York. U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer had specifically requested Fort Drum be included, citing its critical missions.
These microreactors are designed to provide between 1 megawatt and 20 megawatts of power, depending on the company's design. While the military installations will remain connected to the commercial grid, the microreactors will serve as a primary backup. This move away from diesel as a primary backup is driven by the potential difficulty in transporting fossil fuels during conflict.
Regulatory and Development Framework
Unlike commercial nuclear reactors, which are licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, these Army microreactors will be licensed by the Army itself. However, efforts are underway to align the Army's regulatory processes with those of the NRC, potentially allowing companies to adapt their designs for future commercial licensing. The Army expects significant private capital investment alongside federal funding.
The initiative aligns with a broader push by the U.S. government to advance nuclear power. President Donald Trump signed executive orders in May 2025 aimed at accelerating nuclear power development, tasking the Army with ensuring an advanced reactor operates at a domestic military installation by September 30, 2028. The "Janus Program" is named after the ancient Roman god of transitions, reflecting the initiative's goal of moving advanced reactor designs beyond experimental stages.
Officials acknowledge the challenges in deploying nuclear power to a military base and have selected multiple companies to mitigate risks. Critics have raised concerns about the cost and safety risks associated with nuclear reactors, but Waksman noted that these reactors are designed for safe shutdown in case of failure and that the Army is coordinating with the Department of Energy to manage radioactive waste without long-term storage on installations.
Companies involved expressed confidence in the project. Radiant Industries' president and chief operating officer, Tori Shivanandan, stated the award "shows confidence in Radiant’s product and ability to manufacture, deploy and safely operate nuclear microreactors for the American military." BWXT's president and chief executive officer, Rex Geveden, said the program offers "the nation’s most credible and reliable path to deployable nuclear power."