The U.S. Army has awarded contracts totaling up to $2.2 billion to five companies to develop and operate nuclear microreactors at five military bases, marking a significant step in the Army’s Janus Program to ensure energy resilience for critical operations.
The contracts, announced Wednesday, will see Antares Nuclear, Inc. supply Fort Bragg in North Carolina; BWXT Advanced Technologies, LLC supply Fort Campbell in Kentucky; General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems supply Fort Hood in Texas; Radiant Industries, Inc. supply Fort Benning in Georgia; and Westinghouse Government Services supply Fort Drum in New York. Each company will own, construct, and operate the microreactors, with the Army providing technical support upon completion.
The Army aims to have at least one functioning microreactor operational by the end of fiscal year 2028, with a long-term goal of deploying more than 20 microreactors across Department of Defense installations by 2028. Officials described the project timelines as “aggressive but plausible.”
Why the Army is pursuing microreactors
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll stated the contracts are designed to provide reliable, independent power for military bases, reducing dependence on vulnerable commercial grids. The microreactors are intended to support critical infrastructure during conflicts or grid disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted operations for troops and facilities.
Jeff Waksman, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for energy and sustainability, emphasized that the program seeks reactors capable of sustained, high-capacity power rather than short-term demonstrations. “We are seeking not just reactors capable of turning on for a brief demonstration, but rather systems able to deliver power with high-capacity factors for years of operation,” Waksman said.
How the Janus Program works
The Janus Program is part of a broader effort to enhance mobile power-supply capabilities for military operations in remote or austere environments. While the initial reactors will be deployed domestically, the program aligns with broader U.S. initiatives to expand nuclear energy, including federal loans for large-scale reactors and pilot programs for advanced nuclear designs.
The Army has not disclosed the final cost per reactor or which vendors may ultimately prove most viable. Future deployments could include other strategically important or remote installations, though no additional sites have been announced.
Broader context and implications
The announcement follows increased federal interest in nuclear energy, including efforts by the Trump administration to accelerate next-generation nuclear power development. While no nuclear microreactors currently supply power to the U.S. commercial grid, proponents argue the technology offers a resilient, low-carbon energy solution for critical infrastructure.
Critics, however, have raised concerns about safety, regulatory hurdles, and long-term costs associated with deploying nuclear technology in military settings. The Army has not addressed these concerns in its public statements, though officials noted that the reactors will be commercially operated with Army-provided technical oversight.
The program’s success will depend on the vendors meeting performance milestones, with total funding contingent on progress. The Army has framed the initiative as a strategic investment in energy independence, but the long-term viability of microreactors for military use remains an open question.