U.S. Air Force Selects Companies for Microreactor Projects at Three Bases
The U.S. Air Force has announced partnerships with three companies to develop microreactors at military installations. These projects aim to provide resilient, emissions-free power. The initiatives build on prior selections and programs targeting operational deployment by 2028.
prnewswire.comThe U.S. Air Force announced specific company pairings to develop microreactors at three installations, according to a ZeroHedge report. Radiant Industries will partner with Buckley Space Force Base in Colorado to develop the Kaleidos microreactor. This portable 1 MW helium gas-cooled unit uses TRISO fuel and is factory-built for transport by truck or aircraft.
It requires no on-site water and relies on air cooling with fans and passive natural convection, targeting military installations and other resilient power needs.
will deploy its eVinci microreactor at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. The heat-pipe cooled design produces about 5 MW and offers more than eight years of fuel life with minimal maintenance. Westinghouse brings decades of nuclear expertise to the project.
Antares Nuclear will build its R1 microreactor at Joint Base San Antonio in Texas. This sodium heat-pipe cooled system delivers between 100 kWe and 1 MWe, with over six years between refueling. The modular design incorporates high-temperature heat pipes and automated controls for reliability in defense-critical assets.
Related Initiatives ZeroHedge reported that Antares Nuclear recently received first-of-a-kind approval from the Department of Energy for its Mark-0 test reactor at Idaho National Lab. The announcements follow the selection of eight companies in April 2025 as part of a Pentagon effort for resilient, emissions-free power at military sites.
This includes the Janus program, which targets operational microreactors by 2028, and a standalone microreactor pilot at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska.
