After years of planning, the Department of the Air Force announced last month that it had selected Eielson Air Force Base (AFB), near Fairbanks, Alaska, as its preferred location for the microreactor pilot program. The DAF has been working in coordination with the Defense Logistics Agency Energy Office and reached a “critical milestone” in the program after its issuance of a “Notice of Intent to Award” to Oklo, Inc.
Should the contract be officially awarded, Oklo will be required to site, develop, and operate a licensed microreactor facility at a DAF installation.
The DAF and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) are currently preparing an environmental analysis for the project.
“We are excited to partner with Oklo to take a significant step toward enhancing energy security at our installations,” said Michael Saunders, acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations, and Environment. “Following an extensive evaluation, Oklo was selected for their innovation, commitment to safety, and ability to support the mission-critical needs of this installation.”
This program has been a long time in the making, as it was first initiated in response to the Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requirement to identify potential locations for the site, construction, and operation of a micro-reactor by the end of FY27.
What is a Microreactor?
As the name suggests, a microreactor is a small nuclear reactor that can produce “clean energy,” while also being equipped with built-in safety features that self-adjust to changing conditions and demands, preventing overheating, the Air Force explained.
“The technology’s ability to operate independently from the commercial grid and reduce greenhouse gas emissions make micro-reactors a promising power source for remote domestic military installations critical to the national security infrastructure,” the service added.
As with many U.S. military bases and other installations operated by the U.S. military, Eielson AFB is located in a remote, inaccessible region. Supplying it with electricity and heating can often be a formidable task, especially in the winter months. In the case of Eielson AFB, it regularly requires hauling in tons of coal to generate 33.5 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
A microreactor could produce 1-50 MW without requiring a connection to the grid or relying on the transportation of coal or other fossil fuels.
Beyond not needing to move the massive amounts of fossil fuel, factory-built, modular microreactors do not always require water for cooling. Instead, their large surface-to-volume ratio allows them to be cooled more easily and regulate the temperature accordingly. Such a reactor may only need to be refueled around once per decade.
Oklo, based in Santa Clara, CA, is developing a test model of the reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, according to Stars & Stripes.
Eielson Selected as a Test Site
The AFB in Alaska checks several boxes when considering an ideal test site, including the fact that it experienced temporary power outages in 2020 and again in 2024. The base, which is home to the 354th Fighter Wing, continues to operate in extreme Arctic conditions, where temperatures can routinely fall well below zero degrees Fahrenheit
“The DAF identified Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska, as the preferred site to construct and operate an advanced nuclear microreactor due to the base’s existing infrastructure, geographic location, and critical mission assurance requirements,” the Air Force further explained.
Eielson had a pre-proposal conference and site visit in October 2022.
“This microreactor pilot could position Alaska and the nation at the forefront of energy innovation – leading us to a new era of safe, secure, and reliable energy,” said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. “It has the potential to shape future approaches to powering national security infrastructure, especially in the Arctic—where energy reliability is vital in the face of evolving threats.”
There are still some yet-to-be-answered questions, including the type of fuel that will be selected. That will determine the type of reactor. According to New Atlas, the “main candidates” include a form of high-assay, low-enriched uranium (HALEU), with uranium-235 concentrations higher than those found in conventional commercial power reactors. The other option is TRISO (Tristructural-isotropic) pebbles, “where multiple protective layers of carbon and ceramics encapsulate each spherical uranium particle.”
Each can operate for up to 15 years without requiring refueling.
Eielson AFB was first established in June 1943. The location was chosen because of its hazard-free approaches and relatively flat terrain. It has been the home base for such aircraft as the Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady, the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II, and the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.
Current plans call for the nuclear microreactor to begin testing by the end of 2027.
