US Army Launches $2.2 Billion Janus Nuclear Program

The United States Army launched the Janus Program, a $2.2 billion initiative to deploy nuclear microreactors across five military bases. Developed in partnership with the Defense Innovation Unit, the program aims to ensure operational resilience in the event of a commercial power grid failure. The initiative follows an executive order by President Donald Trump to accelerate the development of nuclear power.

Contracts were awarded to five vendors: Antares Nuclear, Inc., BWXT Advanced Technologies, LLC, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, Radiant Industries, Inc., and Westinghouse Government Services. Each company is assigned to a specific installation: Fort Bragg, Fort Campbell, Fort Hood, Fort Benning, and Fort Drum. The Army intends to have over 20 microreactors across Department of Defense installations by 2028, with the first operational by September 2028.

Army officials acknowledge the high risk of failure among vendors due to the untested nature of the designs. However, they maintain that utilizing multiple suppliers is necessary to avoid vendor lock-in and to stimulate the broader US advanced reactor industry. Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll stated that the contracts provide reliable power independent of vulnerable commercial grids.