The U.S. Departments of Energy (DOE) and Defense (DoD) recently transported a small nuclear reactor from California to Utah, marking a significant step in demonstrating the potential for rapid deployment of small nuclear reactors (SMRs) for military and civilian applications. Collaborating with California-based **Valar Atomics**, the Pentagon utilized a C-17 aircraft to deliver one of its microreactors to **Hill Air Force Base**. Notably, the reactor was transported without nuclear fuel, emphasizing the demonstration’s focus on logistics and deployment capabilities.
“This gets us closer to deploying nuclear power when and where it is needed to give our nation’s warfighters the tools to win in battle,” stated **Michael Duffey**, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, who accompanied **Energy Secretary Chris Wright** on the flight. The transport aligns with the **Janus Program**, launched in October 2022, which aims to implement advanced nuclear microreactors at military installations, providing secure and on-demand power.
Strategic Initiative for Military Power
The Janus Program partners with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to utilize a commercial build-own-operate model, which aims to deliver 24/7, clean energy. This initiative seeks to safeguard military bases from grid failures and cyber threats. Following a milestone-based approach similar to **NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services**, the program intends to transition from prototype development to commercially available, factory-built microreactors capable of producing less than 20 megawatts. These microreactors could power data centers, critical infrastructure, and military bases.
The **U.S. Department of Energy** will provide technical assistance regarding the fuel cycle, while the **Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment** will oversee implementation and regulatory compliance. Nine potential installation sites have been identified, including **Fort Liberty** (formerly Bragg), **Fort Cavazos** (formerly Hood), and **Fort Drum**.
SMRs are advanced nuclear fission reactors that can produce up to **300 MW(e)** per unit, which is around one-third of the output of traditional nuclear reactors. Their compact and portable design allows for lower capital costs and quicker deployment, along with enhanced safety features such as passive cooling systems.
Challenges and Criticism of SMR Viability
Despite the promising aspects of SMRs, they face substantial criticism regarding their economic viability and waste management. **Edwin Lyman**, director of nuclear power safety at the **Union of Concerned Scientists**, highlighted concerns by stating, “There is no business case for microreactors, which—if they work as designed—will produce electricity at a far higher cost than large nuclear reactors, not to mention renewables like wind or solar.” Various studies indicate that electricity generation from these reactors could be more expensive than from large nuclear plants, which are already struggling to compete with renewable energy sources.
The now-canceled **NuScale Power** project in Idaho serves as an example, projecting costs over **$20,000** per kilowatt, almost double the **$10,784** per kilowatt for the **Vogtle Project** in Georgia. The NuScale project was halted in November 2023, largely due to soaring costs exacerbated by high inflation and rising interest rates, which led utility partners to withdraw their support.
The Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) for conventional reactors typically ranges from **$50 to $90/MWh**, whereas estimates for SMRs fall between **$80 and $150/MWh**. In contrast, renewable energy generation is significantly cheaper, with utility-scale solar PV averaging between **$39 and $66/MWh**, and onshore wind averaging **$48 to $75/MWh**. LCOE is a critical financial metric that helps compare the profitability and cost-effectiveness of various power generation technologies.
Environmental and safety concerns further complicate the future of SMRs. A 2022 study from researchers at **Stanford University** and the **University of British Columbia** found that SMRs may generate **30 to 35 times more low-to-intermediate level radioactive waste (LILW)** per unit of energy produced compared to conventional nuclear reactors. Additionally, SMRs can produce up to five times more spent nuclear fuel due to lower fuel burnup rates and increased neutron leakage from their compact cores.
Concerns about nuclear proliferation also persist. Many SMR designs require **High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU)**, which is enriched to nearly **20%**, raising alarms about supply chain dependencies and proliferation risks, particularly related to countries like Russia.
The challenges facing SMR development, coupled with the fact that many companies in the sector have yet to generate revenue, have led to significant selloffs. **NuScale Power’s** stock has declined nearly **60%** from its 2025 highs, reflecting investor skepticism about the future of microreactors.
As the U.S. military and associated agencies push forward with initiatives like the Janus Program, the coming years will reveal whether the promise of SMRs can overcome the economic and logistical hurdles that currently impede their widespread adoption.
