“By advancing the use of next-generation nuclear energy, the DAF is strengthening the energy security of our power projection platforms and contributing to long-term national energy leadership,” said Nancy Balkus, DAF deputy assistant secretary for infrastructure, energy and environment. “This initiative represents a critical step in ensuring the department remains the world's premier air force and space force.”
According to the news release, subject-matter experts from the DAF and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory conducted data and on-site analyses to evaluate key areas like environment, nuclear safety and energy integration. The Aurora, Colo., and Cascade County, Mont., military installations were selected because of their respective infrastructures, land availability, and critical mission requirements.
Buckley and Malmstrom will be paired with a vendor and microreactor that best fit their energy needs. According to the announcement, the anticipated deployment date is 2030 or earlier.
Advanced reactors and the military: As part of the ANPI program, the DOD announced in April 2025 that eight companies, listed below, are eligible for other transaction awards for the project:
- Antares Nuclear.
- BWXT Advanced Technologies.
- General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems.
- Kairos Power.
- Oklo.
- Radiant Industries.
- Westinghouse Government Services.
- X-energy.
ANPI isn’t the only program pushing advanced reactors on military bases. It is running parallel to the Janus Program, a U.S. Army project that seeks to deploy an operational demonstration microreactor power plant on a military installation by 2030. The Janus Program builds off another microreactor initiative, Project Pele, which is supporting the design, construction, and demonstration of a mobile microreactor at Idaho National Laboratory.
And ANPI, meanwhile, is not to be confused with a separate DAF pilot program that seeks to deploy a microreactor at Eielson AFB in Alaska.
The U.S. Air Force has ramped up efforts to deploy advanced reactor technology like microreactors. A recent DAF request for information seeks information from companies who could be interested in deploying small nuclear reactors, with an April 19 closing date of the RFI rapidly approaching.
According to the RFI, “The information collected will help assess industry confidence in achieving and installing a commercially viable nth-of-a-Kind (NOAK) capability.”
