ARLINGTON, Va., — April 11, 2026 : The Department of the Air Force, in coordination with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), announced on April 8, 2026, that Buckley Space Force Base in Colorado and Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana have been selected as preferred locations for the deployment of advanced nuclear microreactors under the Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations (ANPI) program. The initiative is intended to establish on-site, resilient power generation capabilities at two strategically critical U.S. military installations, with deployment targeted by 2030 or earlier.
Site Selection and Evaluation Process
The selection follows a detailed assessment conducted by subject matter experts from the Department of the Air Force and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. The evaluation included environmental considerations, nuclear safety requirements, and the ability of each installation to integrate advanced energy systems into existing infrastructure.
Both Buckley and Malmstrom were identified as suitable due to their established utility infrastructure, available land for development, and the operational importance of their missions. Despite being designated as preferred sites, officials emphasized that final approval remains contingent upon the successful completion of environmental reviews and nuclear regulatory licensing.
Air Force spokesperson Laurel Falls stated that the designation does not guarantee deployment, noting that regulatory compliance and environmental clearance will determine whether either installation ultimately hosts a reactor.
Operational Roles of Selected Bases
Buckley Space Force Base serves as the headquarters of Space Delta 4 and is responsible for space surveillance, satellite communications, and providing strategic and theater missile warning to the United States and allied partners.
Malmstrom Air Force Base hosts the 341st Missile Wing, which maintains continuous alert status for Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles located in underground launch facilities across Montana. The operational sensitivity of both installations was a primary factor in prioritizing them for independent, on-site power generation.
Strategic Rationale and Policy Direction
The Department of the Air Force stated that reliance on commercial power grids presents potential vulnerabilities, including risks from cyberattacks, natural disasters, and physical disruption of infrastructure. Establishing dedicated, on-site power sources is intended to ensure uninterrupted mission execution.
Nancy Balkus, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for infrastructure, energy and environment, said the initiative supports maintaining the operational effectiveness of both the Air Force and the Space Force. She noted that adopting next-generation nuclear energy systems strengthens energy security for critical platforms while contributing to long-term national energy capabilities.
An official Air Force statement described the site selection as a step toward ensuring continuous execution of essential missions and reinforcing national security infrastructure.
Microreactor Technology Characteristics
Nuclear microreactors differ from conventional large-scale nuclear power plants in both scale and deployment flexibility. According to the Department of Energy, these systems are compact and can be transported via truck, rail, or aircraft. They are capable of producing up to 50 megawatts of electricity, though most designs generate less than 20 megawatts.
Microreactors are designed for long-duration operation, typically capable of running for up to 10 years or longer without requiring refueling or connection to external power grids. These characteristics align with military requirements for reliable, self-contained energy systems in both fixed and remote environments.
ANPI Program Structure and Industry Role
Under the ANPI framework, the Department of the Air Force is partnering with commercial nuclear technology companies using a contractor-owned, contractor-operated model. Selected vendors will be responsible for siting, licensing, constructing, operating, and eventually decommissioning the reactors.
This model transfers financial, regulatory, and operational responsibilities to industry partners while allowing the Air Force to receive consistent, off-grid power for mission-critical infrastructure. In the coming months, each selected installation is expected to be matched with a vendor whose reactor technology aligns with its specific energy requirements.
Broader Department-Level Initiatives
The ANPI program is part of a wider Department of Defense effort to treat energy resilience as a strategic requirement rather than a support function. Federal policy developments have reinforced this approach.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Secretary of Defense to ensure that an Army-regulated nuclear reactor is operational at a domestic military installation by September 30, 2028. The directive highlighted the increasing energy demands associated with artificial intelligence systems and advanced military technologies, emphasizing that reliance on external power sources presents a strategic risk.
Separately, the U.S. Army announced in October 2025 its Project Janus initiative, which aims to deploy small nuclear reactors across nine Army installations as part of a parallel effort to enhance energy independence.
Distinction from Existing Pilot Programs
The planned deployments at Buckley and Malmstrom are distinct from the ongoing microreactor pilot program at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The Eielson project is designed as a standalone demonstration to validate the baseline performance and benefits of microreactor technology.
In contrast, the ANPI program focuses on integrating operational systems directly into installations with active national security missions, transitioning the technology from experimental use to operational deployment.
Logistics and Deployment Testing
The Air Force has also conducted preliminary logistics testing to validate the feasibility of transporting microreactor components. On February 15, 2026, a U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft transported a containerized nuclear reactor—without nuclear fuel—from March Air Reserve Base (California) to Hill Air Force Base (Utah).
The reactor unit was subsequently transferred to the Utah San Rafael Energy Lab for further testing and evaluation. The exercise demonstrated the capability to rapidly deploy reactor systems to remote or operational locations using existing military airlift assets.
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