Army to build microreactors at 5 bases as U.S. seeks to ramp up nuclear power
Five companies selected by the Army will be awarded up to $2.2 billion in total over five years to own, construct and operate the microreactors, if they hit set milestones along the way for their performance.
The United States Army has announced plans to invest $2.2 billion in constructing and operating small nuclear reactors on military bases. This initiative, known as the Janus program, aims to deploy the first microreactor by the end of September 2028. These microreactors, which can generate up to 20 megawatts of power, are designed to be easily transported and adhere to all environmental and safety regulations applicable to commercial reactors.
However, they will be overseen by the Army instead of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which regulates commercial reactors.
Jeff Waksman, the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy, and Environment, stated that the ultimate goal is to create a commercial product. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll emphasized that these microreactors will enhance the military's ability to provide safe, reliable baseload power directly to its installations, thereby reducing reliance on external grids. The Army has selected five companies, including Radiant, BWXT, and others, to work on this program at its bases.
Critics of microreactors argue that they will be more expensive than conventional reactors, while safety advocates highlight the inherent risks associated with nuclear technology, such as the potential for accidents or targeted attacks. Proponents, however, contend that the Army's substantial resources will serve as a hidden subsidy for nuclear companies that struggle to find private-sector customers.
Alan J. Kuperman, an expert on nuclear proliferation, noted that the program aims to lower the costs of microreactors over time.
Waksman assured that microreactors would safely shut down in case of a failure and that the Army would not deploy them without ensuring their safety. The Army is also working on a deal with the Energy Department to manage radioactive waste, which will not be stored on the installations. The program is part of a broader effort to establish energy resilience for the military, enabling combat power projection globally without depending on potentially vulnerable external grids.
This initiative comes in the wake of executive orders signed by President Donald Trump in May 2025, which aimed to accelerate the development of nuclear power. Despite these efforts, only two new large reactors have been built from scratch in the United States in nearly five decades, and they have been delayed and significantly over budget. The U.S. nuclear reactors currently supply about 19% of the nation's electricity, compared to 60% from fossil fuels and 21% from renewables.
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