The US Army has announced a plan to install nuclear microreactors at five of its bases across the country to ensure energy independence from the electric grid. The Army stated on Wednesday that it will award $2.2 billion in contracts to five companies for the construction and operation of these small nuclear reactors, with the first reactor expected to be deployed by the end of September 2028.
Each microreactor is designed to be transportable and capable of generating up to 20 megawatts of power. The reactors will comply with environmental and safety regulations applicable to commercial reactors; however, they will be regulated by the Army instead of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Jeff Waksman, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, mentioned that the goal is to develop a commercial product. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll stated that the initiative will enhance the military's capacity to deliver reliable power to its installations without depending on external grids.
The selected companies include Radiant and BWXT. Mike Starrett, Chief Commercial Officer of Radiant, noted that the project, named Janus, will enable the company to expand its business to meet future commercial demands. Rex Geveden, president and CEO of BWXT, emphasized the program's potential to provide a credible path for deployable nuclear power.
Critics argue that microreactors may be more expensive than conventional reactors and raise safety concerns regarding nuclear technology. Alan J. Kuperman, an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin, criticized the program as a hidden subsidy for nuclear companies. Waksman acknowledged that microreactors are not expected to be cheaper than conventional plants but expressed a commitment to reducing costs.
Waksman assured that the microreactors would be designed to safely shut down in the event of a failure and that the Army is working with the Energy Department to manage radioactive waste, ensuring no long-term storage at the installations.
In the context of nuclear energy development, five states have recently offered to accept nuclear waste in exchange for federal support. Executive orders signed by former President Donald Trump in May 2025 aimed to expedite nuclear power development, with a goal to quadruple the US's nuclear energy production. Currently, the nation's 94 nuclear reactors supply about 19% of US electricity, according to the US Energy Information Administration.