In conjunction with the Defense Innovation Unit, the U.S. Department of the Air Force announced it has selected three companies to potentially develop and operate a microreactor on a DAF installation.
The move is part of the department’s Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations initiative. According to the DAF, on April 8, Buckley Space Force Base in Colorado, and Malstrom Air Force Base in Montana were selected for the ANPI initiative. Additionally, Joint Base San Antonio in Texas was chosen as a third potential location for a microreactor under the ANPI initiative.
Three companies have been paired with those installations – Radiant Industries in Colorado, Westinghouse Government Services in Montana, and Antares Nuclear, Inc. in Texas.
“The future of air and space dominance is powered by resilient energy,” Michael Borders, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations and Environment, said. “By integrating advanced nuclear technology, we are not just keeping the lights on; we are guaranteeing that our most critical national security missions will never be held at risk by a power outage. This is a pivotal moment for the Department of the Air Force.”
The ANPI initiative aims to install at least one advanced nuclear reactor on at least one DAF installation by 2030 or sooner. The next steps in the process include siting and environmental analyses, part of the National Environmental Policy Act.
Officials said the ANPI initiative is separate from the microreactor pilot program at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, which is designed to demonstrate the feasibility and operational benefits of a microreactor at a single installation.