The U.S. Army, under the direction of President Trump, unveiled a $2.2 billion initiative to install nuclear microreactors at five major installations: Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Campbell, Ky.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Benning, Ga.; and Fort Drum, N.Y. The Janus Program selected five energy firms—Antares Nuclear, BWXT Advanced Technologies, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, Radiant Industries, and Westinghouse Government Services—to design, build and operate the reactors.

Why the Army is moving forward

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said the effort secures reliable, round‑the‑clock power for training, deployment and combat readiness, reducing dependence on civilian electric grids that could be vulnerable to disruption. The first reactor is slated to be operational by September 2028, meeting an executive order signed by President Trump that calls for a military‑regulated micro‑reactor on a base by that date.

Funding and timeline

Government funding will be disbursed through a milestone‑based system from fiscal years 2027 to 2031, with each contractor also contributing private capital. The Army expects the initial projects to demonstrate long‑term, high‑capacity‑factor power generation, paving the way for commercial viability beyond the military.

Future expansion

When private‑sector investment is counted, officials anticipate more than 20 microreactors could eventually operate across Department of War installations. Additional sites will be announced as the program progresses, creating a network of resilient energy sources for the nation’s defense infrastructure.

Local impact

Each selected base will host a reactor that can supply baseload electricity for housing, training facilities, communications, and weapons systems, ensuring continuity of operations even if the surrounding civilian grid fails.

Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.