The Department of the Air Force has selected Buckley Space Force Base in Colorado and Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana as potential sites for nuclear microreactors, which are intended to power military missions without interruption and strengthen national security.
The department said Wednesday that experts conducted comprehensive data and on-site analyses to identify optimal locations for the microreactors under the Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations, or ANPI, program. Buckley SFB and Malmstrom AFB were selected based on existing utility infrastructure, land availability and mission requirements.
Gain critical insights into the programs that are shaping the future of air and space operations at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30. The event will convene government and industry experts to discuss next-generation air and space capabilities and emerging threats to national security. Sign up today.
Table of Contents
What Is the ANPI Program?
The ANPI program, conducted in partnership with the Defense Innovation Unit, aims to deploy advanced, contractor-owned-and-operated nuclear microreactors at military installations. Under the initiative, commercial vendors will be responsible for siting, licensing, constructing, operating and decommissioning the systems.
According to DAF, each selected installation will be paired with a commercial nuclear technology vendor whose system aligns with mission and energy requirements. The Department of War previously announced that BWXT Advanced Technologies, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems, Westinghouse Government Services, X-Energy, Antares Nuclear, Kairos Power, Radiant Industries and Oklo will demonstrate safe and secure nuclear power capabilities under ANPI.
The microreactors will be deployed by 2030 or earlier, DAF said.
Why Is the Air Force Deploying Nuclear Microreactors?
The microreactors are expected to strengthen mission readiness through energy resilience and provide consistent power for all essential workloads.
Nancy Balkus, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for infrastructure, energy and environment, added that the initiative ensures that “the department remains the world’s premier Air Force and Space Force.”
“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,” she stated.
Related Articles
The Department of Health and Human Services has transitioned its payroll system to the cloud as part of a push to accelerate service delivery, improve interoperability and advance the shift to a shared human resource platform. The department’s move to a cloud-based payroll system highlights the kind of digital transformation reshaping federal operations today. Government leaders driving AI adoption and enterprise IT modernization efforts will share insights at the 2026 Digital Transformation Summit on April 22. Register now! HHS said Wednesday the replacement of the COBOL-based payroll system seeks to address increasing operational complexity and rising maintenance costs tied to
The 2026 Wash100 Popular Vote is surging into a high-stakes phase with only three weeks left in this exciting competition. Industry leaders are still making decisive moves up the leaderboard while new contenders emerge with force. Make sure to cast your votes before April 30th—all participants receive 10 votes—to elevate your top choices for the 2026 win. With rankings shifting and momentum accelerating, the competition is becoming more intense and unpredictable by the day. Who Are the New Forces Shaking Up the Leaderboard? This week brought a powerful infusion of new energy, with high-impact debuts that are immediately reshaping the competitive landscape.
The U.S. Navy has named Peter Reddy as executive director of the Naval Sea Systems Command’s Naval Surface and Undersea Warfare Centers, placing a senior engineering and acquisition official in charge of the service’s core technical enterprise at a time of mounting pressure on fleet delivery and modernization. The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27 convenes a high-level assembly of Navy leaders, defense officials and industry innovators to navigate the emerging technologies and modernization priorities critical to the future of naval dominance. Register now! Reddy most recently served as deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for research,