Air Force Identifies Colorado and Montana Bases as Potential Sites for Nuclear Microreactors

The Department of the Air Force has designated Buckley Space Force Base in Colorado and Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana as the primary candidates to host experimental nuclear microreactors. This initiative falls under the Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations program, a broader Pentagon effort launched in June 2024 to enhance energy resilience at critical military facilities. Officials selected these specific locations based on their existing utility infrastructure, available land, and the strategic importance of the missions conducted at each site.

These compact nuclear units are designed to be mobile, allowing for transport via aircraft, rail, or truck. While they typically generate less than 20 megawatts of electricity, they are capable of producing up to 50 megawatts and can operate for a decade or longer without refueling. Despite this selection, the deployment remains subject to rigorous environmental assessments and federal licensing requirements. If successful, the integration of these reactors would provide a stable, long-term power source for bases like Buckley, which oversees vital missile warning operations, and Malmstrom, which maintains significant national security assets. The project represents a major shift in how the military approaches energy security and site-specific power generation.