POLITICS

Army plans to build nuclear microreactors at five bases as US seeks to ramp up nuclear power

PUBLISHED Aug 26, 2026, 4:16 PM ET

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The Army on Wednesday selected five companies to develop and operate nuclear microreactors at five installations, advancing its Janus Program for resilient electricity. Selected companies are Antares Nuclear at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; BWX Technologies at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems at Fort Hood, Texas; Radiant Industries at Fort Benning, Georgia; and Westinghouse Government Services at Fort Drum, New York. The Army said companies could receive up to $2.2 billion over five years, contingent on milestones. Each reactor is expected to produce about 1 to 20 megawatts, while bases remain connected. Officials say the reactors could reduce vulnerability to outages, attacks and fuel-logistics disruptions. The reactors will be regulated by the Army rather than the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, although officials say they are aligning processes where possible. The program builds on Project Pele and follows federal nuclear acceleration efforts. No reactor is yet operating at these five installations.

By Daniel Hayes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On September 24, 2024, Project Pele construction began at Idaho.
On October 14, 2025, Army formally launched the Janus Program.
On November 18, 2025, Army identified nine potential installation sites.
On April 27, 2026, EIA described microreactors as twenty-megawatt-or-less reactors.
On August 18, 2026, Schumer urged selection of Fort Drum.
On August 26, 2026, Army selected five installations and companies.
On August 26, 2026, awards reached up to $2.2 billion.
Over coming months, companies must meet milestones before construction advances.
By September 30, 2028, policy targets an operating Army reactor.
By 2030, broader deployment could expand if demonstrations succeed commercially.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Five bases gain planned resilient nuclear power development.
Possible long-term US impact: Military demand could accelerate America's advanced nuclear reactor commercialization.
Most affected groups: Army installations, reactor companies, workers, regulators, nearby communities, taxpayers.
Reader priority: Readers should prioritize Army documents, company filings, and independent nuclear reporting.

Explain Framing

Left: Coverage emphasizes nuclear costs, safety, waste, regulation, and community concerns. Center: Coverage emphasizes Army selections, funding, resilience, technology, and deployment uncertainty. Right: Coverage emphasizes energy independence, military readiness, domestic nuclear revival, and strategic resilience.