US military awards $2.2bn for small nuclear reactors

The US Army has awarded a combined $2.2 billion to five companies to build and operate small nuclear reactors at five military bases in the United States, with a goal of having the first reactor running by September 2028.

Senior Army facilities and energy official Jeff Waksman said the project is intended to reduce reliance on the domestic electric grid and on diesel backup power for critical infrastructure. He said fuel movement could be difficult in a conflict.

The companies selected include Antares Nuclear, Radiant Industries, Westinghouse and General Atomics. The reactors are small modular reactors, or SMRs, a technology also being promoted by the US Department of Energy.

No SMR is yet in service, and only NuScale has had its reactor design approved by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Waksman said the military has its own certification process and is working with the Department of Energy and the NRC to align approval processes where possible.