Radiant Nuclear, the nuclear supplier for the base under the Janus Program, is hoping to build a large-scale microreactor manufacturer in nearby Oak Ridge, Tennessee, simplifying maintenance.

In August, the United States Army selected Fort Benning, Georgia, as one of the five potential host sites for its ambitious Janus Program nuclearization effort. The installation is now on track to receive three 1-megawatt nuclear microreactors produced by Radiant Nuclear.

On Monday, the US Army confirmed that officials from the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning met with representatives from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy & Environment (ASA (IE&E)), Radiant Nuclear, and other energy stakeholders during a site visit last week.

Under the current agreement, the private American energy company will integrate its “Kaleidos” microreactors with Fort Benning’s existing power grid. It will deliver, install, operate, and maintain the microreactors, which will ensure that the base has independent power to “selected mission‑critical facilities in the event of a commercial grid outage.”

Final site approval is pending completion of required environmental and cultural resource surveys under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

“To project power globally, we must ensure our critical infrastructure—especially Lawson Army Airfield and our mission command centers—remains fully operational under any circumstances. Uninterrupted, resilient energy is the lifeblood of our flight line and deployment operations,” said Maj. Gen. Colin P. Tuley, commanding general of the MCoE and Fort Benning. “This initial site visit is about setting the conditions to successfully receive and integrate this advanced power technology, protecting our operations from commercial grid vulnerabilities.”

This month’s meeting was centered on the strategic goals of the Janus Program, as well as the US Army’s broader microreactor initiative.

The US Army has indicated that it will award up to a combined $2.2 billion for the firms to “own, construct, and operate nuclear microreactors on military installations,” which will deliver safe and reliable power. Although five sites have been selected, the US Army acknowledged that it could eventually field more than 20 nuclear microreactors across Pentagon installations if the first five are successful.

“This kickoff meeting brings together all the partners responsible for delivering micro‑nuclear power to Fort Benning,” said Dr. Ed Locke, master planner for the Directorate of Public Works and the installation’s Janus Project lead. “It’s our first opportunity to collaborate face‑to‑face with our long‑term partners.”

About the Kaleidos Microreactors

The Kaleidos microreactor platform is described as a “transportable high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) that fits inside a standard shipping container.” It employs TRISO fuel and helium gas cooling, and provides enough energy to power approximately 1,000 homes.

The microreactor has enough fuel for five years of continuous operation before it must be refueled. However, by the time that happens, the devices probably will not need to be shipped all the way to the company’s facilities in El Segundo, California. Radiant is already building a $280 million microreactor manufacturing plant, dubbed R-50, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on land that was historically used for the Manhattan Project—with a target production capacity of up to 50 microreactors per year.

“Radiant is proud to partner with the Fort Benning team to deliver the Department of War’s first operational nuclear microreactor,” said retired US Navy Rear Adm. Mark B. Sucato, Radiant’s director of national security business development. “Seeing how prepared and energized our Fort Benning partners are, was invigorating. We look forward to achieving Initial Operational Capability together.”

Current plans call for having the first microreactors operational by 2028. The reactors will be contractor-owned and operated, but with US Army regulatory oversight. Radiant will operate the units at Fort Benning and will also be responsible for refueling and spent-fuel management.

About the Author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu has contributed to dozens of newspapers, magazines, and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author at Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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