U.S. Air Force bases depend heavily on the same electrical grids that power homes and businesses. In a blackout, while homeowners are fumbling for the candles and the flashlights, military facilities switch over to diesel generators.
Looking to provide a more reliable and long-term source of electricity, nuclear startup Radiant this week signed what it described as a first-ever agreement to deliver mass-manufactured nuclear microreactors to U.S. Air Force bases.
The El Segundo, California-based company inked the deal with the Defense Innovation Unit and Department of the Air Force under the Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations program, with delivery scheduled for 2028.
The contract represents a milestone in the military's push toward energy independence and resilient power systems that can operate without vulnerable fuel supply lines, according to Radiant.
"Nuclear power online is something they've been thinking about for a long time. And now it's finally becoming real," Dylan Enright, Radiant's head of federal and military engagement, told Cowboy State Daily. "For 10 years, they've been sort of studying nuclear as something that could help their energy infrastructure be much more resilient, against cyber-attacks and all sorts of nefarious activities, both in the United States and in forward bases."
Military bases in the U.S. rely on grid power that’s susceptible to cybersecurity attacks and natural disasters, while overseas operations depend heavily on diesel fuel convoys that have proven to be deadly targets.
"All of our forward operating bases everywhere use diesel for almost all of their power. And that relies on these convoys of fuel being sent to our bases that are big targets for attack," Enright explained. "We lost probably upwards of 20% of the casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan were due to fuel convoys."
At domestic bases, the backup systems rely on diesel generators that typically store one to two weeks of fuel on-site.
"Imagine just turning off the lights at a crucial base,” offered Enright. “Planes can take off. Incoming nuclear missiles can't be detected. All of these things that we just sort of take for granted.”
Nuclear microreactors eliminate these vulnerabilities, said Enright, describing how the company's Kaleidos reactor can operate for three to five years without refueling, providing continuous power without external fuel deliveries.
"Nuclear reactors absorb that risk entirely. You bring the reactor; you turn it on. It lasts for five years, and you don't have to bring in a truck with diesel every day to power your military operations," Enright said.
Defense Mission
Radiant hopes the military contract adds momentum to its efforts to establish a manufacturing presence in Wyoming.
Company spokesman Ray Wert expressed optimism that the Air Force deal could boost support for the contentious Natrona County facility proposal.
"This is an amazing opportunity for Wyoming and Natrona County to be delivering power to every U.S. military base in the country and every forward operating base overseas," Wert said. "We'd love to be able to put a big blue 'Made in Wyoming' on the side of every single reactor that we're creating."
Radiant has proposed that when its microreactors need refueling, the units — with the spent fuel — will be shipped back to its manufacturing facility. That’s raised concerns among some locals in Natrona County, and it has an interim committee with the Wyoming Legislature considering legislation to allow the storage of nuclear waste.
"Wyoming is one of the largest sources for uranium anywhere in the country. And we want to make sure that we're supporting the entire life cycle and bringing some of those profits home," Wert said.
Radiant's Air Force agreement follows the company's selection by the Department of Energy for reactor testing at Idaho National Laboratory's DOME facility, scheduled for spring 2026. The test will mark the first new U.S. reactor design evaluated at DOME in nearly 50 years.
President Donald Trump's executive orders in May mandating nuclear power solutions for the Department of Defense by 2028 provided additional urgency to the company’s work, according to Radiant.
"This is the first concrete contract to make that real. And we are on track for meeting the president's deadline and making that happen," Enright said.
The Air Force has not disclosed which bases will receive the first microreactors, how much each microreactor will cost and how each will be guarded and protected. But officials indicated critical command and control facilities, and missile defense installations could be priorities.
“As power demands surge and our energy systems become increasingly strained, we’re focused on delivering more resilient, agile, and cost-effective energy resilience solutions that are tailored to each installation’s unique needs,” an Air Force official told Cowboy State Daily Thursday.
Wyoming Made?
In Wyoming, Radiant faces ongoing debate over its proposed Natrona County manufacturing facility. The company said it plans to spend additional time on community outreach efforts.
"We are engaging in a broader educational strategy in order to be able to make sure that we are answering any questions that Casper and Natrona County have as well as other areas across the state where there have been questions raised," Wert said.
The Legislature’s Joint Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee plans to meet again to discuss proposed legislation. It tabled a draft bill during a hearing July 30 in Casper, and the committee has not yet scheduled a follow up meeting.
The draft authorizes, “the siting of temporary high-level radioactive waste storage facilities and installations within this state.”
Microreactor Market
Radiant is not alone in pursuing military microreactor contracts.
The Air Force recently issued a Notice of Intent to Award to Oklo, Inc. for a separate microreactor project at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. That initiative, if awarded, would bring in Oklo — based in Santa Clara, California — to establish a Department of Defense installation with on-site advanced nuclear energy technology.
As Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Michael Saunders noted in the Eielson announcement, microreactors offer "innovation, commitment to safety, and ability to support the mission-critical needs" of military installations.
“As Eielson Air Force Base focuses on lethality and warfighting, the Iceman team is proud to continue our pioneering legacy,” said Col. Paul Townsend, 354th Fighter Wing commander at Eielson Air Force Base. “Operating in extreme Arctic conditions to protect the homeland and ensure readiness for our 5th generation F-35A force demands 24/7 resilient and reliable energy generation, and this project would advance our posture to achieve national security objectives to be ready to go at 50 below!”
David Madison can be reached at david@cowboystatedaily.com.
