US Air Force selects gas-cooled KRONOS microreactor for military base energy resilience

The US Air Force has selected NANO Nuclear Energy to adapt its compact nuclear reactor technology for military installations. The Phase I contract has been awarded through the AFWERX innovation program. “Energy resilience has become a strategic priority across the US military, and advanced microreactors have the potential to fundamentally change how critical installations are powered,” said Jay Yu, Founder and Chairman of NANO Nuclear Energy. The award focuses on using the company’s KRONOS MMR system to provide reliable, off-grid power for critical defense infrastructure. The KRONOS MMR is a stationary high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR). Unlike traditional nuclear plants, it operates without relying on local water sources or connection to a central power grid. Instead, the system uses inert helium gas as its main coolant. “The helium then transports the heat away from the core to the primary heat exchanger, a smaller pressure vessel to the side of the reactor,” added the company. Here, the energy is harnessed either to drive electrical turbines or to supply direct heat for industrial processes. Designed as stationary installation Each reactor unit produces between 10 MW and 45 MW of thermal power. This translates to an electrical output of 3.5 MW to 15 MW per module. “KRONOS MMR is designed as a stationary installation capable of producing power up to 45 MWth in a single-unit configuration, while a multi-unit configuration can readily deliver gigawatt level power,” explained the company. To handle fluctuating energy demands, the system can connect to molten salt thermal storage tanks. Excess heat from the primary cooling loop is diverted into the salt, storing up to 10 hours of energy. This setup allows the nuclear core to run at a steady, efficient output while adjusting the amount of electricity sent to the grid. The reactor uses high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel. The uranium is encased in robust ceramic particles, known as TRISO fuel, and set within a silicon carbide structure. Silicon carbide resists extreme radiation and high temperatures, acting as a natural containment barrier. NANO Nuclear has also moved its fuel-handling technology past the initial concept phase. Working alongside engineering firm Fortil, the team is building the mechanical subsystems needed to safely load, transport, and store nuclear fuel elements during routine operations. Deployment logistics with commercial progress Portability is central to the design. The microreactor breaks down into standard shipping modules that travel by road and assemble directly on site. Once installed, individual units can operate on their own or connect together like a power bank. Linking multiple modules allows operators to scale generation from a few megawatts up to gigawatt levels. This modular design makes it easier to power remote military bases, isolated towns, and large data centers without building new high-voltage power lines. NANO Nuclear is currently working with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on pre-application licensing with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. “We now have multiple active engagements with the Department of the Air Force that demonstrate increasing confidence in our technology and technical capabilities,” concluded James Walker, Chief Executive Officer of NANO Nuclear Energy.Recommended ArticlesGet the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.An active and versatile journalist and news editor. He has covered regular and breaking news for several leading publications and news media, including The Hindu, Economic Times, Tomorrow Makers, and many more. Aman holds expertise in politics, travel, and tech news, especially in AI, advanced algorithms, and blockchain, with a strong curiosity about all things that fall under science and tech.