Buckley SFB, Malmstrom AFB Selected for Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations Program

Why It Matters

Deploying microreactors bolsters energy resilience for high‑priority Air Force and Space Force missions, reducing reliance on vulnerable grid power and advancing U.S. leadership in next‑generation nuclear technology.

Key Takeaways

• Buckley SFB and Malmstrom AFB chosen for microreactor deployment.
• Program targets operational readiness by 2030 or earlier.
• Contractor‑owned reactors to be licensed, built, operated, decommissioned.
• Selection based on utility infrastructure, land, mission criticality.
• Separate pilot at Eielson AFB tests microreactor feasibility.

Pulse Analysis

The Department of the Air Force’s partnership with the Defense Innovation Unit marks a decisive shift toward integrating small‑scale nuclear power into military infrastructure. Known as the Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations (ANPI) program, it seeks to place contractor‑owned microreactors on key bases, delivering reliable, carbon‑free electricity that can operate independently of the civilian grid. By leveraging commercial reactor designs, the service aims to accelerate deployment timelines while mitigating the high costs and regulatory burdens traditionally associated with nuclear projects.

Buckley Space Force Base and Malmstrom Air Force Base emerged as the program’s first preferred locations after rigorous on‑site assessments by Air Force experts and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory scientists. Both installations scored highly on criteria such as existing utility capacity, available land parcels, and proximity to critical mission assets. The chosen commercial vendors will handle every phase—from licensing with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning—allowing the military to focus on mission integration rather than reactor management.

If successful, the ANPI rollout could redefine energy strategy across the Department of Defense, offering a resilient power source that supports everything from radar arrays to launch facilities. The 2030 target aligns with broader DoD goals to modernize energy portfolios and reduce fossil‑fuel dependence. Meanwhile, the separate microreactor pilot at Eielson AFB serves as a testbed, providing data that will inform scaling decisions. Industry observers see the program as a catalyst for the commercial microreactor market, potentially unlocking new contracts and accelerating innovation in compact nuclear technology.