US Army Selects Five Military Bases for Nuclear Microreactors Under Janus Programme

The US Army has selected five military installations for the deployment of advanced nuclear microreactors under its Janus Programme, a major initiative aimed at strengthening energy resilience and reducing dependence on vulnerable external power grids.

The programme will allow five companies to potentially receive up to $2.2 billion collectively over five years to own, build and operate microreactors, subject to meeting performance milestones. The Army expects the initiative could eventually lead to the deployment of more than 20 microreactors across the selected locations.

The selected companies and military bases include Antares Nuclear at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, BWXT at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems at Fort Hood in Texas, Radiant Industries at Fort Benning in Georgia, and Westinghouse Government Services at Fort Drum in New York.

The microreactors are expected to provide reliable power for critical military infrastructure, particularly during grid disruptions or emergencies. Depending on the design, each reactor could generate between 1 and 20 megawatts of electricity and operate for years without requiring refuelling.

The initiative forms part of a broader push to move advanced nuclear technology beyond experimental projects and towards long-term operational use. Military officials believe small reactors could provide a dependable source of baseload power while reducing reliance on diesel generators and fuel supply chains, which could become vulnerable during conflicts or other emergencies.

The selected military bases will remain connected to the commercial power grid, with the reactors expected to supplement rather than completely replace existing electricity supplies. Large military installations can consume as much power as small cities, making the microreactors primarily a source of resilient energy for essential operations.

The Army has said safety will remain a key consideration, with the reactors designed to shut down safely in the event of failures. Plans are also being developed to manage and remove radioactive waste, with no long-term waste storage planned at the selected military installations.

The Janus Programme comes amid a wider push in the United States to accelerate the development of next-generation nuclear technology as electricity demand rises, particularly from energy-intensive sectors such as data centres and advanced computing.

The programme could also provide an important testing ground for advanced reactor technologies that may eventually be used beyond military installations. By supporting multiple companies and reactor designs, the Army aims to increase the chances of successfully deploying commercially viable microreactors while accelerating private investment in the sector.

The initiative represents one of the most significant efforts yet to integrate advanced nuclear power into everyday military operations, combining energy security, technological development and long-term resilience as the US seeks alternatives to traditional backup power systems.