The programme follows Executive Order 14299, “Deploying Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies for National Security,” which mandates that the Department of War begin operating an Army-regulated nuclear reactor at a domestic military site no later than 30 September 2028. The Secretary of War has designated the Department of the Army as the Executive Agent for this mission, placing it in charge of leading the Janus Programme.
“The U.S. Army is leading the way on fielding innovative and disruptive technology,” said Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll. “We are shredding red tape and incubating next-generation capabilities in a variety of critical sectors, including nuclear power.”
The Janus Programme will utilise the Army’s nuclear regulatory authorities in close partnership with the Department of Energy to maintain top safety, transparency and oversight standards. “Since the Manhattan Project, the Department of Energy and the Department of War have forged one of the defining partnerships in American history—advancing the science, engineering, and industrial capability that power our national security,” said Wright.
“What began as a wartime effort became the backbone of America’s peacetime strength. Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re extending that legacy through initiatives like the Janus Program, accelerating next-generation reactor deployment and strengthening the nuclear foundations of American energy and defense,” Wright added.
The initiative will use a milestone-based contracting model, similar to NASA’s Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS), in collaboration with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). Commercial companies will build, own and operate the microreactors, with milestone payments structured to support their progression toward “Nth-of-a-kind” production.
The Army will provide full technical support, including oversight across the uranium fuel cycle and broader nuclear supply chain, enhancing both defence capabilities and national industrial strength. The programme builds on experience from Project Pele, a transportable Generation IV reactor and the first of its kind to begin construction outside China.
“The Janus Program is going to deliver real hardware, not PowerPoint slides,” said Dr. Jeff Waksman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment. “I will personally oversee this effort on behalf of the War Department. By leveraging Army’s program management and oversight capabilities with the accomplishments of Project Pele, the U.S. Army is ready to move forward at lightning speed to make next-generation nuclear power a reality.”
The Janus Programme marks a major investment in energy resilience and military readiness, providing reliable, uninterrupted power for mission assurance, training, deployment and combat operations. It reflects the Department of War’s ongoing commitment to energy innovation and the long-term support of Armed Forces capability.
Source: U.S. Army.
