The Janus Program aims to deploy commercial nuclear microreactors on domestic military bases within the next few years, enhancing energy independence and resilience.
The Army is set to initiate a new competition in the coming weeks that could lead to the deployment of nuclear microreactors on domestic military bases within the next few years.
Janus Program
The Janus Program, a joint effort with the Department of Energy, seeks to establish commercial nuclear microreactors, generating 1-20 megawatts of power, for use on domestic bases. This initiative aligns with Executive Order 14299, signed by President Donald Trump, which mandates the operation of nuclear reactors on a domestic military installation by Sept. 30, 2028.
Commercial Reactors
The reactors will be commercially owned and operated and acquired through a partnership with the Defense Innovation Unit. During a joint appearance at AUSA, Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll and Secretary of Energy Chris Wright emphasized nuclear energy’s potential for American energy independence.
Potential conflict
„If you think about our engagement in a conflict in the Indo-Pacific, it is not going to be like a war we have had in the last 40 or 50 years,” Driscoll said. „We’re going to need to be able to access power like we have never needed it before.”
Draft Request
Jeff Waksman, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy, and environment, elaborated on the program. He said that a draft request for proposals will be released in the next „few weeks,” followed by an industry day and a full competition.
Few Weeks
„Realistically, it’s gonna take us a few months to do all this. But we are planning to put a draft RFP out within a few weeks, so we’re gonna move very quickly,” Waksman said. „Selecting the sites will take longer, okay? Because that’s gonna be part of the local engagement.”
Previously selected companies
DIU previously selected eight companies under its Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations (ANPI) effort. However, Janus will welcome all energy companies, not just those previously cleared by ANPI, due to different requirements and increased scalability of some nuclear startups.
Two Reactors
The program aims to select multiple companies, each assigned an Army installation (likely in the contiguous 48 states) to build a pair of reactors. Building more than one reactor demonstrates that this is not merely a one-off R&D effort, Waksman explained. The goal is to streamline the supply chain for all involved companies.
Local engagement
Waksman emphasized that there is no intention to force nuclear reactors on unwilling communities, suggesting that states open to nuclear power may have an advantage in the site selection process.
Long period
„There’s gonna be a long period of local engagement and local discussion,” he said. „I think as long as we have that discussion, as long as we have a clear face to the project, and we’re clearly engaging with local communities, then I think there’s going to be a lot of appetite for it. Now, if the local communities decide they don’t want it, then we won’t go there. We’re not here to impose on any local communities.”
International
The question of deploying such systems abroad, particularly in Japan, is even more complex. Waksman acknowledged this complexity, noting the Navy’s experience with nuclear-powered subs through status of forces agreements. However, he reiterated that there is no plan to force these reactors on anyone.
Sneaking
„Some people may or may not be aware that in the 1960s the Army snuck a nuclear reactor into Greenland. They did not tell the Danish, and then [the Danes] got very peeved about it. But that was the 60s, or, as I like to say, before there were laws,” Waksman said. „That’s not how we operate in 2025, so we’re not gonna be sneaking these reactors in anywhere.”
Grid
The Army’s pursuit of nuclear power for bases is partly driven by concerns about the vulnerability of the civilian power grid. Military bases rely on the grid and are susceptible to sabotage or cyber attacks.
Economic Growth
Rep. Pat Harrigan suggested that integrating nuclear capabilities on military installations could create a win-win situation for both national security and economic growth. Nuclear reactors could power data centers adjacent to bases.
Bipartisan Appetite
Waksman mentioned the possibility of giving power back to the grid but noted legal and regulatory challenges related to which agencies govern military, civil, and commercial nuclear energy. He stated that there is bipartisan support in Congress to address these issues.
Parity With Fossil Fuels
Regarding cost, Waksman acknowledged that nuclear energy might be slightly more expensive than traditional sources. However, he argued that the trade-off for resilience could be worth it if the cost is reasonably close. „The question is, how much are we willing to pay for resiliency? That’s still an open question,” he said. „I don’t think we need to meet absolute parity with fossil fuels, but I think we need to be reasonably close.”
