In May 2021, cybercriminals caused a significant shutdown of fuel supplies by attacking colonial pipelines across the southeastern U.S., leading to widespread shortages. This incident highlighted how one cyberattack can have a far-reaching impact on the economy and exposed the vulnerabilities in both defense and civilian energy networks.
Such attacks underscore the urgent need for enhanced cyber defenses while reminding us that energy is crucial to national security. If a conflict were to arise with nations like China or Russia, it raises questions about whether we could rely on our existing power grids for consistent energy supply.
The reliability of energy directly affects our military strength and economic stability. However, our critical infrastructure remains at significant risk from cyber threats and interruptions in fuel supply.
There’s a growing demand for electricity on the battlefield—needed for various technologies like unmanned platforms, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing. Meeting this demand in strategic regions, such as the Indo-Pacific and the Arctic, poses challenges.
Since 2018, an annual defense policy bill has mandated that the Department of Defense create a facility energy plan aimed at securing energy and ensuring military services and facilities can provide reliable power amidst increasing demand.
A potential solution could lie in advanced nuclear energy. By integrating this technology into our defense and civilian infrastructure, we can bolster the resilience of our power grids against cyber threats and alleviate some logistical challenges faced by the Pentagon.
Several companies, including ours, are working on delivering nuclear fission microreactors. These systems could supply compact and reliable energy to military bases and other essential public health and economic networks.
Modern nuclear power systems utilize advanced fuels composed of small particles, functioning as mini-containment vessels that prevent the release of harmful materials even under extreme conditions.
These reactors are designed to be passively safe. If the temperature rises unexpectedly, the laws of physics work to slow the reaction without needing human or automated intervention. In cases of power loss, safety mechanisms quickly halt the nuclear processes.
Even in complete cooling loss situations, these reactors maintain temperatures well within safe limits, ensuring the protection of people and the environment.
Understanding their potential, President Trump has issued a new directive to expedite the adoption of these advanced, safe reactor designs among federal agencies, including the Departments of Defense and Energy, as well as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Recently, at an Army conference, the Secretaries of the Army and Energy unveiled the Janus project, aimed at providing secure and resilient energy to support defense facilities and missions by 2028.
For this initiative to succeed, the U.S. needs to revitalize its uranium enrichment supply chain and enhance infrastructure for reactor testing. There’s also a pressing need to grow the training pipeline for nuclear experts and engineers.
With continued collaboration between the public and private sectors, these hurdles can be addressed, allowing us to potentially quadruple America’s nuclear capacity by 2050.
Dense and clean nuclear energy holds the power to support various military operations, including early warning systems and missile defense initiatives, especially in remote or secure locations.
Currently, military installations depend heavily on fossil fuels, primarily diesel, which are stored onsite. Transitioning to nuclear power could eliminate the need to transport diesel across the continental U.S. and to bases in Alaska and the Pacific.
A modern nuclear reactor could address what U.S. military planners describe as the “logistics pain point,” which refers to the challenges adversaries pose to military supply chains.
We should be aware that adversaries might test our resilience with cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. Countries like China and Russia are investing in advanced energy technologies as part of their military upgrades. Our military must maintain an edge, especially in remote areas across the Pacific and Alaska.
In future conflicts, the side that can ensure access to electricity across all areas will likely succeed. Without power, military forces become immobile and vulnerable.
However, if we can safeguard our power supply and sustain operations in remote areas, we enhance our ability to deter attacks and bolster national security.
Investing in reliable nuclear energy is a strategic choice. If we act with resolve, advanced nuclear power may secure America’s energy future, reinforce our military strength, and prevent adversaries from jeopardizing our power supply.
