Army Energizes Bases with Nuclear Power Initiative

In a move towards energy independence and operational resilience, the United States Army has unveiled a new initiative, dubbed the Janus Program, aimed at deploying small-scale nuclear reactors to power its bases domestically and abroad. The announcement was made on October 14, 2025, at the Association of the U.S. Army conference by Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll and Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

The core objective of the Janus Program is to provide a reliable and long-lasting energy source for military installations, thereby reducing the reliance on traditional fossil fuels and mitigating the vulnerabilities of complex supply chains, particularly in remote or contested environments.

A New Era of Energy for the Military

During the announcement, Secretary Driscoll emphasized the strategic importance of this energy evolution, particularly in the context of potential future conflicts. “If you think about our engagement and conflict in the Indo-Pacific, it is not going to be like a war we’ve had the last 40 or 50 years,” Driscoll stated. “We are going to need energy for the actual objective. We’re going to need to be able to access power like we have never needed it before.”

Secretary Wright echoed these sentiments, highlighting the technological leap that microreactors represent. “Ultimately, and not in the too distant future, you’ll be able to place a reactor at a forward-deployed base, produce multiple megawatts of power, so meaningful power, and it’ll run for years, potentially decades, without any refueling or any servicing,” Wright explained. This capability would provide a significant tactical advantage, ensuring a constant and secure power supply for the increasing energy demands of modern military operations.

Building on Previous Initiatives and Public-Private Partnerships

The Janus Program is not the military’s first exploration into nuclear power. It follows President Donald Trump’s May executive order, which mandated the operation of a nuclear reactor at a domestic military base by September 30, 2028. Additionally, the Pentagon’s Project Pele, announced in 2022, has been working towards the development of a transportable 40-ton nuclear reactor capable of generating one to five megawatts of power.

A key aspect of the Janus Program will be its collaboration with commercial entities. The microreactors are planned to be commercially owned and operated, with the Army serving as a “host for American entrepreneurship and industry,” according to Secretary Driscoll. This partnership aims to leverage the innovation and expertise of the private sector in developing and deploying this advanced technology. The Army will work in conjunction with the Defense Innovation Unit and the Department of Energy to build and test the microreactors. Jeff Waksman, the Army’s principal deputy assistant secretary for installations, energy and environment, has been tapped to lead the project.

Looking Ahead to Implementation

While specific technical details of the Janus Program’s microreactors were not extensively discussed, officials pointed to ongoing progress in the field. Secretary Wright mentioned that the first small reactor currently in development at the Idaho National Laboratory is expected to go critical next year, with a target date before July 4, 2026. Waksman expressed his hope that the reactors for Project Janus will be able to build upon the advancements made with the Idaho-based reactors. The successful implementation of the Janus Program could herald a new age of energy security and operational capability for the U.S. military.