The U.S. Army unveiled the Janus Program at the AUSA Annual Meeting in Washington, outlining plans to deploy industry-built microreactors at military bases by 2028. The initiative aligns with Executive Order 14299, aiming to harden installations against grid failures and accelerate deployment of advanced reactors with DOE support.
Army officials emphasized the need for uninterrupted energy at critical sites, introducing a framework in which private developers will build, operate, and own microreactors under Army technical oversight and DOE fuel coordination. The contracting model, inspired by NASA’s COTS approach, incentivizes vendors to transition from prototype systems to repeatable production units.
The program focuses on microreactors producing roughly 20 megawatts of electricity or less, compact enough for maritime or air transport while capable of independently powering a large base. The reference design draws from Project Pele, a transportable Generation IV reactor using TRISO fuel based on HALEU, capable of generating electricity for three years without refueling and housed within four 20-foot containers.
Executive Order 14299, signed on May 23, 2025, mandates that the Army establish a program of record and begin operations of an Army-regulated reactor on U.S. soil by fiscal year 2028, while authorizing DOE to facilitate privately financed advanced reactors in support of national security missions. Janus serves as the Army’s instrument to achieve these objectives.
Microreactors offer tangible benefits: bases gain credible “islanding” capabilities, maintaining power to command centers, radars, depots, and medical facilities during regional outages, severe weather, or cyber incidents. A three-year refueling cycle reduces diesel shipments and logistical burden, while providing stable baseload power for energy-intensive operations such as ranges, simulators, and secure data centers. Renewable sources or batteries may complement the reactor, which serves as a reliable anchor for modern microgrids.
Program risks include fuel availability and licensing. HALEU supply remains limited, and domestic enrichment capacity is still being rebuilt. DOE plays a central role in sequencing fuel, siting, and safety requirements, and milestone-based contracts are designed to align vendors with these dependencies.
Core fabrication for Project Pele has begun, positioning it as the first U.S. Generation IV reactor to produce electricity. Containerized design facilitates rail or road transport and simplifies site preparation. The Army and DOE emphasize safety and transparency to maintain credibility with host communities and Congress.
Janus is not designed to provide the cheapest electricity, but rather to enhance energy security at a time when adversaries may target civilian grids and the military’s baseline energy demand is rising. Success would strengthen deterrence, showcase operational resilience, and influence global microreactor development and HALEU supply chains.
