U.S. Army Awards $2.2 Billion for Microreactor Deployment at Military Bases
The U.S. Army has announced the selection of five companies to receive up to $2.2 billion in funding for the deployment of nuclear microreactors at military installations. This initiative, conducted in partnership with the Defense Innovation Unit, is designed to bolster the resilience of military sites and advance the commercial viability of next-generation nuclear power.
The awarded companies include Antares Nuclear, Inc., Radiant Industries, Inc., BWXT Advanced Technologies, LLC, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, and Westinghouse Government Services. Each company will deploy reactors at different Army posts, including Fort Bragg, Fort Benning, Fort Campbell, Fort Hood, and Fort Drum.
The funding, spread over fiscal years 2027 to 2031, is structured through Other Transaction Authority agreements. This means payments will be made only upon achieving specific technical milestones. The reactors will range in capacity from 1 MW to 20 MW, supporting installation resilience while remaining connected to broader power grids under normal conditions.
The Army plans to have more than 20 microreactors operational across its installations within five years, with the first reactor expected to be functional by September 30, 2028. The reactors will employ inherently safe generation-IV designs using TRISO-based encapsulated fuel and high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU).
Antares Nuclear has already achieved a significant milestone with its Mark-0 prototype reaching zero-power criticality at Idaho National Laboratory on June 4, 2026, marking a major step in the Army's microreactor program.