The U.S. Army has selected five companies to develop nuclear microreactors at military installations as part of a program aimed at providing reliable power to bases while expanding America’s nuclear-energy industry.
The Army’s Janus Program will award up to $2.2 billion across fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with additional private investment expected from the companies. The military ultimately plans to build and operate more than 20 microreactors across Defense Department installations.
The first five projects will pair Antares Nuclear with Fort Bragg in North Carolina; BWXT Advanced Technologies with Fort Campbell in Kentucky; General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems with Fort Hood in Texas; Radiant Industries with Fort Benning in Georgia; and Westinghouse Government Services with Fort Drum in New York.
“Since launching the Janus Program, our mandate from President Trump and Secretary Hegseth has been clear: secure the power our warfighters need to train, deploy and win,” Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said.
The Pentagon sees small nuclear reactors as a potential way to provide military installations with continuous power without depending entirely on civilian electrical grids that could be vulnerable to outages, natural disasters or attacks.
Unlike short-term demonstration projects, the Army is seeking reactors capable of operating at high capacity for years. Officials also want the program to help participating companies develop commercially viable reactors that can eventually be sold to customers outside the military.
The five companies were selected following a technical review involving experts from the Energy Department, national laboratories and the military services. Officials evaluated factors including technology, financial resources, management capabilities and the suitability of individual installations.
Government payments will be tied to technical milestones, meaning companies will receive funding as they successfully complete specified development goals. The prototype reactors will be owned and operated by the contractors rather than the Army.
The Janus Program is targeting September 2028 for operation of its first reactor, consistent with an executive order issued by President Trump calling for faster deployment of nuclear technology at military installations.
Additional military sites are expected to be announced as the program expands.