The U.S. Army announced on August 26, 2026, plans to deploy nuclear microreactors at five military bases: Fort Bragg (North Carolina), Fort Campbell (Kentucky), Fort Hood (Texas), Fort Benning (Georgia), and Fort Drum (New York). This initiative, part of the Janus Program, aims to provide a reliable, independent energy source for critical operations, especially if the commercial power grid fails. The program will award up to $2.2 billion in contracts to five companies—Antares Nuclear, Inc., BWXT Advanced Technologies, LLC, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, Radiant Industries, Inc., and Westinghouse Government Services—to own, construct, and operate these microreactors.
These microreactors are designed to supply between 1 megawatt and 20 megawatts of power, supplementing the existing grid rather than entirely powering the bases, which consume as much electricity as small cities. The Army views this as a crucial step for energy resilience and to reduce reliance on vulnerable external grids, particularly given the challenges of transporting fossil fuels like diesel in conflict scenarios. The contracts are structured to incentivize performance, with total funding dependent on companies meeting set milestones, and will cover construction and the first year of operation, followed by long-term power purchase agreements.
While proponents like Army Secretary Dan Driscoll emphasize the importance of reliable baseload power for projecting combat power globally, critics express concerns. Alan J. Kuperman, an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin, argues that the Army's program acts as a "hidden subsidy" for nuclear companies due to high costs and lack of private-sector customers. He also highlighted that the reactors will be licensed by the Army, not the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which he called a "dangerous scam." However, Army officials, including Jeff Waksman, principal deputy assistant secretary for installations, energy, and environment, assert that these small reactors are designed to shut down safely and that the Army is working with the Energy Department for waste removal, with no long-term storage on installations.
The Army’s approach involves selecting five different companies to mitigate risks, acknowledging that delivering nuclear power to a military base presents significant challenges. For example, Radiant Industries, Inc. views its $750 million award as a vote of confidence in its product and ability to safely operate microreactors for the military. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems highlighted its reactor's 40-year operational design for remote, off-grid environments, leveraging over 70 years of nuclear expertise. The program also aims to align its regulatory processes with the NRC to facilitate future commercial licensing of advanced reactor designs, anticipating billions in private capital investment alongside federal funding.
Each microreactor will be compact, generating less than 20 megawatts of electricity and occupying under five acres. They are intended for localized resilience of critical infrastructure and will integrate into the existing commercial grid without disrupting current land use. The ownership and operation model places responsibility entirely on the selected nuclear energy vendors, marking a shift from traditional government-owned utility systems. The Army expects that over 20 such nuclear microreactors will be built and operated eventually, representing a significant push to advance nuclear power beyond experimental stages for both military and civilian applications.
