Fort Benning hosts Janus Program partners, surveys potential nuclear microreactor site
FORT BENNING, Ga. — Leaders and planners from the Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning met with representatives from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy & Environment (ASA (IE&E)), Radiant Industries Inc., and key installation energy stakeholders during the initial Janus Program site visit, Oct. 16, 2026.
As a designated Janus Program host installation, Fort Benning is scheduled to receive three next‑generation nuclear microreactors. Radiant will provide, install, operate and maintain the systems, which will deliver resilient, independent power to selected mission‑critical facilities in the event of a commercial grid outage.
“To project power globally, we must ensure our critical infrastructure — especially Lawson Army Airfield and our mission command centers — remains fully operational under any circumstances. Uninterrupted, resilient energy is the lifeblood of our flight line and deployment operations,” said Maj. Gen. Colin P. Tuley, commanding general of the MCoE and Fort Benning. “This initial site visit is about setting the conditions to successfully receive and integrate this advanced power technology, protecting our operations from commercial grid vulnerabilities.”
The visit opened with an installation briefing outlining Fort Benning’s mission, vision, and current energy posture. The session grounded planning discussions on the Janus Program’s strategic goals, the Army’s broader microreactor initiative, and efforts to enhance energy resilience across military installations.
“This kickoff meeting brings together all the partners responsible for delivering micro‑nuclear power to Fort Benning,” said Dr. Ed Locke, master planner for the Directorate of Public Works and the installation’s Janus Project lead. “It’s our first opportunity to collaborate face‑to‑face with our long‑term partners.”
Radiant Industries provided an overview of its company background and capabilities, leading into technical workshops focused on integrating its Kaleidos microreactors with Fort Benning’s existing power grid.
“Radiant is proud to partner with the Fort Benning team to deliver the Department of War’s first operational nuclear microreactor,” said retired Rear Adm. Mark B. Sucato, U.S. Navy, Radiant’s director of national security business development. “Seeing how prepared and energized our Fort Benning partners are, was invigorating. We look forward to achieving Initial Operational Capability together.”
Stakeholders also reviewed administrative, regulatory, and security requirements supporting the program. Representatives from DPW; the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security; the Provost Marshal’s Office; and Installation Safety collaborated on emergency response integration, physical security planning, and safety protocols. The groups also discussed cultural resource considerations and environmental compliance under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Local utility providers, the installation’s commercial power company, and scientific and technical defense consultants contributed to site‑selection discussions and infrastructure mapping.
The visit concluded with a physical assessment of one potential location for the microreactors. Although the site currently stands as the preferred option, final approval depends on cultural resource and environmental survey results.
“Today’s collaborative site survey marks a significant step forward for the Janus Program,” Locke said. “Our immediate priority is completing the required environmental and cultural resource surveys to secure final site approval. Every milestone brings us closer to strengthening Fort Benning’s energy resilience and ensuring our ability to project power without fail.”
With host installations like Fort Benning paired with vendors such as Radiant and planning underway, the Army is advancing toward its goal of having the first microreactors operational by 2028.
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