Capability · Nuclear energy and propulsion
Advanced Fission Reactors
Next-generation fission reactors, from transportable microreactors to factory-built small modular reactors, designed for smaller footprints, passive safety and faster deployment.
Assessment
Case for · why it matters
The Army says its grid and diesel-backed critical infrastructure are at risk in a conflict, and its Janus awards at Fort Bragg, Campbell, Hood, Benning and Drum target more than 20 microreactors across DoD installations. The Air Force plans a third-party-owned microreactor at Eielson AFB, Alaska, delivering up to 5 MW to base critical infrastructure under a 30-year power purchase agreement.
Case against · the skeptic’s view
Commercial economics are unproven: NuScale's six-reactor, 462 MW Utah project was terminated after towns pulled out as costs rose. Licensing remains a gate, as the Eielson contract with Oklo is pending NRC licensing and the NRC denied Oklo's first Aurora application in 2022.
Who Builds It9
Fielded0
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Limited fielding0
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Prototype0
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Development6
Research0
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Concept0
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Maturity not yet rated: Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Valar Atomics
- AMPERADeveloper · USDevelopment
- Blue EnergyIntegrator · USDevelopment
- Elementl PowerIntegrator · USTechnology-agnostic project developer ("America's Nuclear Prime"), not a reactor designer.Development
- Nuclear TurbinesDeveloper · GBDevelopment
- StellariaDeveloperDevelopment
- TerraPowerDeveloper · USNatrium (345 MWe sodium fast reactor, boostable to 500 MWe with storage) is above the BRIEF's SMR size band, so linked at capability level.Development
- Argonne National LaboratoryResearcher · USLaboratory research capability; not a claim of a commercial product or fielded system.—
- Oak Ridge National LaboratoryResearcher · USLaboratory research capability; not a claim of a commercial product or fielded system.—
- Valar AtomicsDeveloper · USCompany-reported capability or material relationship; this mapping does not imply government endorsement, qualification or a contract.—
Placed by each organization's own maturity for this technology; TRL is self-reported or estimated, see confidence.
Systems34
| Aurora powerhouse | Oklo | Other | Development | — |
| BWRX-300 | GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy | Other | Development | — |
| BWXT Advanced Nuclear Reactor (BANR) | BWXT Advanced Technologies | Other | Development | — |
| eVinci microreactor | Westinghouse Government Services | Other | Development | — |
| General Atomics Tactical Energy System (GA-TES) | General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems | Other | Development | — |
| Hermes 2 | Kairos Power | Other | Development | — |
| KRONOS MMR | NANO Nuclear Energy | Other | Development | — |
| Natrium | TerraPower | Other | Development | — |
| NuScale Power Module | NuScale Power | Other | Development | — |
Showing 1–9 of 34 systems