US Army plans to provide up to $2.2 billion for microreactors — OilPrice
The US Army plans to provide up to $2.2 billion for the construction of next-generation microreactors at five military sites. At least one such reactor is to begin generating electricity at a US military base by September 30, 2028, OilPrice reports.
Five companies and military bases
In August, the US Army announced its intention to fund Antares Nuclear for a project at Fort Bragg, North Carolina; BWX Technologies at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; General Atomics at Fort Hood, Texas; Radiant Industries at Fort Benning, Georgia; and Westinghouse Government Services at Fort Drum, New York.
According to the publication, the companies must also attract billions of dollars in private investment to support development. Jeff Woxman, deputy assistant secretary of the US Army for installations, energy and environment, said the program is intended to provide momentum not only for microreactors but also for the development of advanced reactors in the United States.
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A bet on compact reactors
Microreactors are smaller than small modular reactors, whose electrical capacity is up to 300 MW per unit. According to OilPrice, most microreactors are designed to produce from 1 to 20 MW of thermal energy, which can be used directly for heating or converted into electricity.
Such units are planned to be manufactured and assembled at factories, then transported by trucks, ships or aircraft. They can be used in isolated areas without connection to the main power grid, as well as integrated with local grids and renewable energy sources. Some units are expected to be able to operate for up to 10 years without refueling.
Separately, Texas-based company Aalo reported in July that its CTR test reactor had achieved criticality — a state in which a reactor can sustain a controlled chain reaction. The company is developing reactors with an electrical capacity of 10 MW for Aalo Pods modules with a total capacity of 50 MW, intended to power artificial intelligence data centers.
