US plans first shore-based nuclear microreactor at Indiana base

The U.S. Department of War plans to install an advanced nuclear microreactor at Naval Weapons Station Crane in Indiana by September 2028. This initiative represents a substantial advancement in the adoption of nuclear power at military installations. The microreactor will be owned and operated by a private company, supplying reliable power to the Navy base and reducing dependence on the commercial electric grid.

This project will establish the Navy’s first shore-based advanced microreactor and Indiana’s first power-generating nuclear reactor. Naval Weapons Station Crane supports weapons development and defense technology programs that require dependable electricity, particularly during power outages or other challenging circumstances. Crane project targets resilient power The Army is developing the reactor through its Janus Program in collaboration with the Navy and other Department of War entities. Indiana is also participating in the project, which has been under development for over a year with support from state officials. The Army leads the department’s nuclear energy initiatives at military installations. The Navy is establishing the operational requirements for the Crane site, while the Department of War Innovation Unit facilitates connections between the program and commercial nuclear technology.

“Under President Trump’s bold leadership, the Department of War is rapidly fielding next-generation energy solutions for our warfighters,” said Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. “We are unleashing the American nuclear industrial base to ensure our military installations possess the resilient infrastructure required to maintain uninterrupted operations.” Janus program moves toward deployment The project aligns with executive orders from President Donald Trump that prioritize advanced reactors and the U.S. nuclear industry. These directives seek to reduce barriers to nuclear innovation and expand domestic manufacturing. “At Critical Technologies, we start from a simple first principle: a technology matters only when it reaches the mission,” highlighted Mike Dodd, Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies. “Our standard is to field and deploy capability within 24 months or less.”

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies is coordinating the participating groups. The Crane reactor is included in its Contested Logistics Critical Technology Area, which develops technologies to support military operations under challenging conditions. Navy seeks stronger shore infrastructure “Janus was designed from the beginning to deliver capability beyond the Army,” stated W. Jordan Gillis, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment. “Together, we are building a pathway to resilient nuclear power that can strengthen mission assurance across the Joint Force.” The Navy regards the Crane project as a critical measure to safeguard shore facilities from disruptions to the commercial power grid. The reactor could also serve as a model for future nuclear power projects supporting national security. “Energy security is warfighting capability,” added Brendan Rogers, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment. “Hosting the Navy’s first shore-based advanced microreactor at NWS Crane under the Janus Program underscores our commitment to hardening our shore infrastructure against evolving physical, cyber, and grid vulnerabilities.”