Key facts
- The U.S. Army is awarding up to $2.2 billion to five companies to build and operate microreactors on military bases.
- Microreactors are factory-built nuclear plants designed to generate up to 20 megawatts of power.
- The program, named Janus, aims to power remote installations like those in Alaska or on islands.
- The first reactor deployment is targeted for September 2028.
- Selected companies include Antares Nuclear, BWXT Advanced Technologies, General Atomics, Radiant Industries, and Westinghouse Government Services.
- Radiant Industries stated it will receive up to $750 million for its Kaleidos reactors.
The U.S. Army has announced it will award up to $2.2 billion to five companies for the development and operation of microreactors on military bases. These small, factory-built nuclear plants, capable of generating up to 20 megawatts each, are intended to power remote installations, such as those in Alaska or on islands, and potentially serve as a commercial product in the future.
The program, named Janus, aims to address the high cost of powering remote military sites, which currently stands at approximately 40 cents per kilowatt hour for Arctic installations. The Army hopes that by fostering microreactor technology, it can reduce these energy costs and attract private sector investment.
The selected companies are Antares Nuclear Inc. (Fort Bragg, North Carolina), BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC (Fort Campbell, Kentucky), General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (Fort Hood, Texas), Radiant Industries Inc. (Fort Benning, Georgia), and Westinghouse Government Services (Fort Drum, New York). Radiant Industries specifically stated it expects to receive up to $750 million to develop and deploy 15 of its Kaleidos reactors.
While these military microreactors will adhere to commercial reactor environmental and safety standards, they will be regulated by the Army rather than the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Critics have raised concerns about the cost of microreactors compared to conventional plants, but Army officials indicated that the Janus program aims to drive down these costs, with Radiant Industries projecting a delivered cost of 20 to 30 cents per kilowatt hour for its containerized units.