The US Army is betting on nuclear microreactors to keep its bases powered even if the grid goes dark
The US Army has awarded $2.2 billion in contracts to five vendors to develop nuclear microreactors for military bases. The Janus Program aims to ensure critical infrastructure remains operational even if the primary power grid is compromised.
Why it matters
This represents a significant shift in military energy strategy, prioritizing energy independence and resilience against cyberattacks or physical strikes.
Five companies were chosen to build the microreactors for five bases. Luke Sharrett/Getty Images The US Army picked five vendors to build nuclear microreactors at five bases. The Janus Program aims to keep key bases powered if the electric grid goes down. US officials warn bases could face cyberattacks, strikes, and power disruptions in war. The US Army announced plans to build nuclear microreactors on five military bases as it tests whether nuclear energy can keep critical operations running if the power grid goes down. The Janus Program's initial rollout selected five vendors and assigned each to a different installation. The Army sees the technology as a potential way to ensure bases and troops can operate off-grid during a conflict. Questions remain about the ultimate cost, which vendors will prove viable, and how widely the Army could deploy the reactors. On Wednesday, Army officials shared details on the program.
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