{"id":57971,"title":"US Army allocates $2.2 billion for nuclear microreactors at five bases","publisher":"Stockmark.IT","author":"Stockmark.IT Website","published":"2026-08-31T05:44:57+00:00","modified":"2026-08-31T05:44:57+00:00","canonical_url":"https://stockmark.it/u-s-army-to-spend-2-2b-on-nuclear-microreactors-at-military-bases/","markdown_url":"https://stockmark.it/u-s-army-to-spend-2-2b-on-nuclear-microreactors-at-military-bases.md","json_url":"https://stockmark.it/u-s-army-to-spend-2-2b-on-nuclear-microreactors-at-military-bases.json","category":"Defence Industry","categories":["Defence Industry","Nuclear","Technology"],"featured_image":"https://i0.wp.com/stockmark.it/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/us-army-allocates-2-2-billion-for-nuclear-microreactors-at.png?fit=1536%2C1024&quality=80&ssl=1","format":"news","language":"en-GB","content":"The United States Army has committed up to $2.2 billion over a five-year period to procure, build, and operate commercial nuclear microreactors at five domestic military installations. Announced in October 2025 under the Janus Program, the initiative aims to deploy 20 microreactors by 2028. These compact nuclear units, which typically generate between one and 20 megawatts of electricity, are designed to provide a reliable power source for military bases that consume energy comparable to that of a small city. The strategic rationale for the programme is to reduce the logistical vulnerability associated with transporting fossil fuels to remote front lines during conflict, as localised nuclear reactors can operate for years without requiring refuelling.\n\nFive vendors have been selected to design and deploy the microreactors at specific locations. Antares Nuclear is slated to build a unit at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, while BWXT Technologies is assigned to Fort Campbell in Kentucky. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems will construct a reactor at Fort Hood in Texas, Radiant Industries is set for Fort Benning in Georgia, and Westinghouse Government Services will handle the installation at Fort Drum in New York. Radiant Industries has secured a contract worth up to $750 million to deploy 15 of its one-megawatt Kaleidos microreactors, beginning with a three-unit installation. Antares Nuclear will also deploy a three-unit group of its R1 microreactors, with each unit ranging from 100 kilowatts to one megawatt. The reactors are intended to be delivered in modular packs, allowing them to be shipped via standard trucks, rail, air, or barge. The facilities will be factory-built to avoid prolonged on-site construction, and Radiant’s Kaleidos microreactor is designed to be fully transportable and capable of powering up within 48 hours of arrival.\n\nA significant aspect of the programme is the licensing authority. The U.S. Army will be responsible for licensing the reactors rather than the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which normally oversees commercial nuclear facilities. This arrangement has drawn criticism from academic experts. Alan J. Kuperman, an associate professor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas, described the exclusion of the NRC from the licensing process as a dangerous scam on many levels. In response, Jeff Waksman, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment, stated that the reactors are not intended to be Army-specific. He explained that they are designed to transition easily to the commercial market, at which stage the NRC will become involved. Waksman also noted that the Army will coordinate with the Energy Department to remove radioactive waste, with no plans for long-term storage at the military installations.\n\nWhile small modular reactors face challenges related to high costs and supply chains, they are increasingly viewed as vital for grid stability and the clean energy transition. The U.S. government has targeted a massive expansion to reach 300 gigawatts of new nuclear power by 2050. If successful, the Janus microreactors could be among the first small modular reactors installed on U.S. soil. The broader context includes a surge in demand for nuclear energy from the technology sector. Major technology companies have signed numerous deals involving small modular reactors to power their growing AI data centre electricity demands. Two years ago, Google signed a deal with Kairos Power to purchase 500 megawatts from a new fleet of six to seven small modular reactors, with the first targeted for 2030. Amazon invested in X-Energy by leading a $500 million funding round and securing offtake rights, alongside deals with Energy Northwest in Washington State. Microsoft signed a deal with Constellation Energy in 2024 to restart Three Mile Island Unit 1 and has built an internal nuclear strategy team. Meta signed agreements with Oklo Inc. and TerraPower in January 2026 to build multiple small modular and advanced reactor units."}