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Army Bets on Nuclear Microreactors for Grid-Down Power
27 Aug
Summary
- Army will build nuclear microreactors on five bases.
- Contracts worth up to $2.2 billion awarded for first reactors.
- Goal is to have over 20 microreactors by 2028.
The US Army has announced ambitious plans to construct nuclear microreactors at five military bases as part of its Janus Program. This initiative, awarded through contracts totaling up to $2.2 billion, seeks to ensure that critical operations can continue even if the commercial power grid fails.
The selected bases are Fort Bragg (NC), Fort Campbell (KY), Fort Hood (TX), Fort Benning (GA), and Fort Drum (NY), each paired with a different vendor. The Army aims to have more than 20 such microreactors deployed across Department of Defense installations by 2028.
This move addresses growing concerns about the vulnerability of military infrastructure to cyberattacks, electromagnetic spectrum threats, and physical strikes. Unlike current reliance on fossil-fuel generators, microreactors offer a more resilient and independent power source for maintaining essential systems during conflicts or grid disruptions.
