The U.S. military is aggressively pursuing the development and deployment of nuclear microreactors to power its bases and support global operations. This initiative aims to enhance energy resilience, reduce reliance on vulnerable supply chains, and ensure uninterrupted power for critical missions. With several projects underway and significant investments being made, microreactors are poised to revolutionize the way the military secures its energy needs.
Why Microreactors? Powering the Future of Defense
Microreactors offer a compelling solution to several challenges faced by the U.S. military:
- Energy Resilience: Traditional power grids are susceptible to disruptions from natural disasters, cyberattacks, and physical threats. Microreactors, operating independently of the grid, provide a reliable and secure power source, ensuring critical operations can continue uninterrupted.
- Reduced Reliance on Fossil Fuels: The military’s dependence on fossil fuels creates logistical vulnerabilities, especially in remote or hostile environments. Microreactors offer a clean, sustainable alternative, reducing the need for constant and costly fuel resupply.
- Enhanced Operational Capabilities: Microreactors can be deployed to forward operating bases and remote installations, providing a consistent and robust power supply for advanced military operations. This enhances the military’s range of operations, endurance, agility, and mission assurance.
- Smaller, Safer, More Efficient: Advanced microreactor designs are significantly smaller, safer, and more efficient than their predecessors. They can operate for years without refueling, making them ideal for remote and challenging environments.
Key Initiatives and Projects
Several key initiatives and projects are driving the development and deployment of microreactors for military applications:
Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations (ANPI) Program
Launched by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) in collaboration with the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force, the ANPI program aims to design, license, build, and operate microreactor nuclear power plants on military installations. The program seeks to:
- Field a decentralized, scalable microreactor system capable of meeting 100% of critical loads.
- Utilize the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) civil regulatory pathways to stimulate commercial nuclear microreactor technology development and associated supply chains in the U.S.
In April 2025, the DIU announced the selection of eight companies eligible to receive Other Transaction awards to provide commercially available dual-use microreactor technology:
- Antares Nuclear, Inc.
- BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC
- General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems
- Kairos Power, LLC
- Oklo Inc.
- Radiant Industries Incorporated
- Westinghouse Government Services
- X-Energy, LLC
Project Pele
Led by the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), Project Pele focuses on developing a prototype mobile microreactor for military operations in the field. The project aims to:
- Design, build, and demonstrate a transportable high-temperature gas reactor.
- Create a reactor facility that can be transported within four 20-foot shipping containers.
- Begin generating electricity at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) as early as 2026.
BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC is manufacturing the reactor, with Northrop Grumman, Rolls Royce Liberty Works, and Torch Technologies also participating. The reactor is expected to deliver 1-5 MWe for a minimum of three years of full-power operation.
Eielson Air Force Base Microreactor Pilot Program
The Department of the Air Force has selected Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska, to pilot its first microreactor. This next-generation energy capability will provide the installation with a clean, reliable, and resilient energy supply for critical national security infrastructure. The project is currently paused for additional proposal review. The Department of the Air Force is partnering with key regulatory authorities to ensure the pilot is executed safely and is committed to frequent, clear, and transparent communication with all local stakeholders.
Microreactor Test Beds: DOME and LOTUS
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) is operating the DOME and LOTUS test beds at Idaho National Laboratory to accelerate the demonstration and deployment of advanced reactor systems.
- DOME: Repurposing the lab’s Experimental Breeder Reactor-II containment structure to lower the risk of developing microreactor designs capable of producing 20 megawatts or less of thermal energy.
- LOTUS: Housed in the lab’s former Zero Power Physics Reactor facility, which will conduct the world’s first fast-spectrum, salt-fueled reactor test led by Southern Company and TerraPower.
Key Players in Microreactor Development
Several companies are at the forefront of developing and deploying microreactor technology for military applications:
- BWXT Advanced Technologies: Manufacturing the Project Pele prototype mobile microreactor.
- General Atomics: Developing microreactor designs aligned with the DoD’s needs for energy security and resilience.
- Westinghouse Electric Co.: Developing microreactors like the eVinci, which are easily transportable and do not need refueling for years.
- Oklo Inc.: Designing advanced fission microreactors.
- NANO Nuclear Energy: Developing portable microreactors like ZEUS for military operations and disaster relief scenarios.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the potential benefits of microreactors for military applications are significant, several challenges need to be addressed:
- Regulatory Framework: Streamlining the regulatory review process for microreactors is crucial to accelerate their deployment.
- Fuel Availability: Ensuring a reliable supply of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel is essential for the long-term viability of microreactor programs.
- Waste Management: Developing strategies for waste treatment and disposal is necessary to address environmental concerns.
- Security: Implementing robust security measures to protect microreactors from theft or sabotage is paramount.
Despite these challenges, the opportunities presented by microreactors are immense. By addressing these challenges and fostering collaboration between government, industry, and research institutions, the U.S. military can unlock the full potential of microreactors to enhance its energy resilience, operational capabilities, and national security.
The Future of Military Power: Microreactors Leading the Charge
The U.S. military’s focus on nuclear microreactor test beds represents a significant step towards a more resilient, sustainable, and secure energy future. As these projects progress and the technology matures, microreactors are poised to play an increasingly important role in powering military bases, supporting global operations, and ensuring the nation’s energy dominance.
