Key facts
- The U.S. Army will spend up to $2.2 billion over five years on nuclear microreactors.
- Approximately 20 microreactors will be deployed across five domestic military bases.
- The Janus Program aims to provide localized, resilient power generation for military operations.
- Five companies have been selected to design and deploy the microreactors.
- The Army will handle the licensing of these microreactors, a departure from standard NRC oversight.
The U.S. Army is set to invest up to $2.2 billion over five years to deploy approximately 20 nuclear microreactors across five domestic military bases as part of its Janus Program. These reactors, typically generating 1-20 megawatts, are intended to provide a resilient and long-lasting power source for military installations, reducing the vulnerability associated with transporting fossil fuels to remote locations.
Five companies—Antares Nuclear, BWXT Technologies, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, Radiant Industries, and Westinghouse Government Services—have been selected to design and operate these microreactors. Radiant Industries, for instance, secured a contract worth up to $750 million to deploy 15 of its 1-MWe Kaleidos microreactors. The reactors are designed for modular transport and quick deployment, with some capable of powering up within 48 hours of arrival.
A notable aspect of the program is that the U.S. Army will be responsible for licensing the reactors, rather than the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), a decision that has drawn criticism. However, Army officials state the reactors are designed for eventual transition to the commercial market, at which point NRC involvement will occur. Radioactive waste management will be coordinated with the Energy Department, with no long-term storage planned at the installations.
This initiative aligns with a broader push for small modular reactors (SMRs) in the U.S., driven by needs for grid stability and clean energy, with government targets for significant nuclear power expansion by 2050. The Janus microreactors could represent some of the first SMRs deployed on U.S. soil. The demand for advanced nuclear energy is also being fueled by Big Tech companies seeking to power their data centers, with major players like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta investing in or securing power purchase agreements for SMRs.