- The DOW wants AI to be a foundational component of U.S. power projection, but generating sufficient power is a big hurdle
- Experts are evaluating energy-efficient options such as portable nuclear power generators
- Hear directly from top government officials and industry experts on this topic at the 2026 Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 29!
The Trump administration wants artificial intelligence to be a foundational capability for the U.S. in warfare. The Pentagon seeks to use AI for missions including intelligence analysis, data collection, logistics and more.
But ensuring AI is effective in combat requires these systems to be energy efficient, a retired Army chief warrant officer told National Defense Magazine in a recent interview. Bill Thompson, Spartan Forge CEO, said the U.S. needs to develop “field-deployable edge device systems” that could do much of the light work being done in large data facilities.
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Why Are Centralized AI Data Centers a National Security Issue?
This, he said, is because large data centers are centralized and centralization is a national security vulnerability.
“So, as you concentrate [computing], you concentrate data, you concentrate intellectual property, you create single points of failure,” Thompson said. “Believe me, that will be what the Chinese will be focusing on, because if they can’t steal it, they will destroy it.”
Discover business opportunities in AI and energy at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 29. Dig into energy generation and power systems built for AI-era demands at the Powering AI at Mission Scale: Energy, Compute, and Infrastructure for Defense Innovation panel discussion. Learn more about data center design enabling secure, high-performance workloads and infrastructure innovations driving AI-powered defense readiness. Tickets are running out—get yours now!
How Is the Pentagon Dealing With Energy Use in AI?
These power generation concerns have inspired creative ideas from top Pentagon officials. Dr. Jeff Waksman, as program manager in the DOW’s Strategic Capabilities Office and a panelist at the 2026 Defense R&D Summit, said in January 2025 at last year’s Defense R&D Summit that a mobile nuclear reactor could address this AI energy issue, Defense News reported at the time.
Waksman’s portable nuclear reactor effort, called Project Pele, is being developed by BWXT Advanced Technologies. A prototype reactor building is being constructed to be transported within four 20-foot shipping boxes and tested at Idaho National Laboratory. Project Pele has a goal of placing the reactor in 2026.
Interested in exploring more innovative ways to develop energy-efficient infrastructure for military AI use? Check out our top federal officials and industry experts for the Powering AI at Mission Scale: Energy, Compute, and Infrastructure for Defense Innovation panel at the 2026 Defense R&D Summit this Thursday.
JC Gordon (moderator)
Vice President for Maritime and Logistics, Kpler
JC Gordon helps U.S. and international agencies, and commercial customers in improving maritime transparency, regulatory compliance and logistical resilience in complex and contested operational environments. With more than 10 years experience in capabilities ranging from satellite technology, maritime intelligence and government operations, Gordon provides data-driven solutions that bolster sanctions enforcement, force readiness and supply chain security, and worldwide trade.
Tim Kocher
Deputy Director in the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response, Department of Energy
Tim Kocher directs DOE’s mission to boost the resilience and security of U.S. energy infrastructure against rapidly-changing physical and cyber threats. He brings extensive experience to his position as he previously helmed Sen. Ted Cruz’s emergency and energy response policy.
This is Kocher’s second stint at the DOE. He previously served as a special advisor from 2017 to 2021 and served in the Office of Cyber Security, Energy Security and Emergency Response from 2018 to 2021.
Dr. Jeff Waksman
Principal Deputy, Assistant Secretary for Installations, Energy and Environment, U.S. Army
Jeff Waksman is the principal deputy advisor to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George. He provides expertise on all matters related to policy and oversight for military construction and housing, real estate, energy dominance sustainability, installation modernization, safety and occupational health, and all environmental matters.
Waksman has a diverse range of government and technical expertise. In addition to his service as program manager in the DOW’s SCO, he served as the policy advisor to NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine in the first Trump administration. He also served as a science and technology fellow in the office of Rep. David Schweikert.
Prior to his federal career, Waksman was on the research team at the IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center where he focused on quantum computing and heterogeneous chip integration. He is a member of the American Nuclear Society.
Capt. Charles “Newt” McKissick
Military Deputy and Navy Service Lead, Defense Innovation Unit
McKissick has extensive experience in financial management, budget development and legislative affairs with an impressive track record of aligning DOW priorities with innovation from the private sector. As the military deputy and Navy service lead at the DIU, he leads a 120-plus member joint team rapidly driving the adoption of cutting-edge technology across the DOW.
McKissick is also the senior military advisor supporting joint matters, congressional affairs, maritime, aviation and energy as the lead military liaison. Here he works with the defense industrial base to speed up emerging technology for the Pentagon.
Some of McKissick’s other DOW positions include executive officer of Naval Base Coronado in California, director of the Navy’s Office of Appropriations Matters and commanding officer of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77 in Atsugi, Japan.
Are you a GovCon technology professional? Then you cannot miss the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Defense R&D Summit this Thursday, Jan. 29—it’s specifically designed for you! Get the latest AI requirements and actional business intelligence during keynotes from leading DOW officials like Emil Michael, acting director of the DIU and under secretary for research and engineering. Gain an edge on your competitors to start 2026. Sign up today!
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