Eielson Air Force Base, located near Fairbanks, Alaska, has been designated as the first U.S. military installation to host a nuclear microreactor as part of a Defense Department pilot project.
Selected in June by Pentagon officials, Eielson is expected to have the microreactor operational by late 2028. The initiative targets isolated military bases that have fewer options for power generation, particularly during emergencies when other electrical systems may fail.
The decision to select Eielson was influenced by past instances of temporary power outages at the base, specifically noted in 2020 and 2024, which highlighted the need for a more reliable energy source.
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink emphasized the importance of microreactors in ensuring energy security in remote locations. He stated, “This initiative has the potential to shape future strategies for powering national security infrastructure — especially in the Arctic, where energy reliability is critical amid evolving threats.”
Situated in extreme Arctic conditions, Eielson serves as home to the 354th Fighter Wing, and it must contend with frigid winter temperatures that often dip well below zero degrees Fahrenheit. The installation of a microreactor would provide a robust power source for maintaining essential services such as lighting, heating, and operational tasks, including possibly de-icing runways in adverse conditions.
The Defense Logistics Agency announced that Oklo Inc., a nuclear technology company based in Santa Clara, California, would be responsible for the design, construction, ownership, and operation of the microreactor at Eielson. Oklo is currently developing a test model at the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls.
When queried about the financial aspects of the project, Pentagon officials refrained from discussing the estimated costs incurred by the military.
In an interesting twist, Oklo’s initial application for a license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission was rejected in 2022 due to incomplete data. However, Oklo has indicated plans to reapply for the necessary approval. The commissioning of the microreactor is contingent upon securing this license, for which a 30-year, fixed-price power purchase agreement between the Air Force and Oklo would be finalized post-approval.
As part of a broader initiative to enhance military energy resilience, this project aligns with the Pentagon’s Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations program, which envisions deploying microreactors at two military installations by 2030. These advanced nuclear systems are projected to generate between 3 and 10 megawatts of power and can operate without refueling for several years.
In tandem with this project, the Defense Department’s Strategic Capabilities Office is developing a portable reactor capable of functioning for up to three years without a refueling requirement. This portable system, being created by BWXT Advanced Technologies, is designed to deliver 1 to 5 megawatts of power, facilitating energy production in remote field locations.
The endeavors undertaken by the Department of Defense reflect a concerted federal initiative to hasten the development of nuclear energy. Legislative measures passed by Congress in 2024 aim to streamline the regulatory processes governing nuclear power, thereby accelerating project completions.
President Donald Trump has made fast-tracking nuclear energy projects a key focus during his second term. His administration has set a goal of developing 400 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2050, along with ensuring that 10 large reactors are under construction by 2030.
Further, a series of executive orders signed in May by Trump call for expediting the licensing and operational capabilities of nuclear power plants while also increasing nuclear fuel supplies and recognizing data centers as critical U.S. defense assets. He underscored the significant role nuclear power could play in addressing the growing electricity demand at data centers and military installations while minimizing external power grid dependencies.
Nancy Balkus, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for infrastructure, energy, and environment, remarked on the strategic importance of reducing reliance on vulnerable energy sources and leveraging next-generation technologies to bolster national defense capabilities.
Col. Paul Townsend, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing at Eielson, expressed enthusiasm for the microreactor initiative, stating, “This project would advance our posture to achieve national security objectives to be ‘Ready to go at 50 below!’”
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