The Trump administration announced that five defense contractors will receive up to $2.2 billion to design, build and operate nuclear microreactors at five Army installations across the United States. The contracts are part of the Army’s Janus Program, which seeks to give forward‑deployed forces reliable, grid‑independent power.
Selected sites and vendors
Fort Bragg in North Carolina will host the first microreactor, with Antares Nuclear Inc. selected as the vendor. The other sites and their contractors are:
- Fort Campbell, Kentucky – BWXT Advanced Technologies
- Fort Hood, Texas – General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems
- Fort Benning, Georgia – Radian Industries
- Fort Drum, New York – Westinghouse Government Services
The Army said the selections reflect a year‑long evaluation of energy needs, seismic and hydrological factors, and a primary focus on safety. The chosen vendors may later be asked to place additional nuclear technologies on other service installations, expanding energy resilience across the Department of War.
Executive order and timeline
President Trump signed Executive Order No. 14299, setting a target of September 2028 for the first Army‑regulated reactor to be operational on a military base. The order underscores the administration’s commitment to energy independence for national defense.
Official statements
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, a former first lieutenant, praised the move: “Secure the power our warfighters need to train, deploy and win. Awarding these contracts accelerates our ability to deliver safe, reliable baseload power directly to our installations.” The Army added that reliable energy “underpins national defense” and will help protect forces from potential vulnerabilities in civilian power grids.
Impact on local communities
Fort Bragg supports roughly 260,000 people, including military families, retirees and civilian workers. The microreactor project promises to bolster the base’s energy security, which could translate into greater stability for the surrounding community and local businesses that rely on a dependable power supply.
Similar benefits are expected at the other four bases, each of which serves as a major economic engine in its region. By reducing dependence on commercial grids, the installations aim to safeguard both mission readiness and the livelihoods of the thousands of civilians who work and live near these installations.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
