ANPI for energy dominance: The DIU, air force, and army launched ANPI earlier this year to “allow for the design and build of fixed on-site microreactor nuclear power systems on select military installations to support global operations across land, air, sea, space, and cyberspace.” Andrew Higier, the DIU energy portfolio director, said at the time, “Microreactors on installations are a critical first step in delivering energy dominance to the Force.”
He continued, “The U.S. and the DOD must maintain the advantage and leverage the best-of-breed nuclear technology for our national security.”
Other companies selected by the DOD that are eligible to provide commercially available microreactor technology at various DOD installations include Antares Nuclear, BWXT Advanced Technologies, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, Kairos Power, Oklo, Westinghouse Government Services, and X-energy.
Kaleidos testing: Radiant, which was founded in 2020, is developing portable mass-produced nuclear microreactors. Its first reactor, known as Kaleidos, is a 1-MW “failsafe microreactor that can be transported anywhere power is needed.” The company plans to test it in 2026 and begin initial customer deployments in 2028. Radiant’s goal is to eventually mass produce its portable microreactors.
Next year’s testing of Kaleidos will occur at Idaho National Laboratory’s DOME (Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments) facility. Kaleidos will be the first new design of a U.S. nuclear reactor to be tested at DOME in almost 50 years.
Deployment in three years: Radiant founder and CEO Doug Bernauer commented on the new contract signing, saying, “In 36 months, Kaleidos reactors will arrive via truck and within 48 hours plug in, power on, and provide resilient, cybersecure power to our nation’s air force for years without refueling.” A statement from the company added that “Radiant is eager to continue to work with DIU, Department of Defense leadership, Congress, and the President to deliver Kaleidos” within that timeframe.
