Army launches Janus nuclear microreactor program
The U.S. Army is launching the Janus Project to deploy commercial nuclear microreactors at domestic and overseas bases, committing 'hundreds of millions' of dollars over five years to reduce reliance on fuel convoys and provide 24/7 power, according to program lead Dr. Jeff Waksman. The initiative follows a Trump executive order directing the Department of War to operate an Army‑regulated reactor by September 2028 and will use milestone‑based contracts with multiple vendors, in partnership with the Defense Innovation Unit and DOE national labs; first hardware construction is targeted no earlier than 2027.
Military
Energy
📌 Key Facts
- Budget: 'Hundreds of millions' over five years for the Army’s Janus Project
- Directive: Executive order requires an Army‑regulated reactor to be operating by September 2028
- Timeline: First construction not before 2027; domestic base power targeted starting in 2028
- Model: Commercially built/operated microreactors; milestone‑based contracting inspired by NASA COTS
- Partners: Defense Innovation Unit and DOE national laboratories; Army as executive agent
- Focus: Materials and certified supplier bottlenecks to strengthen the nuclear industrial base