{"aiVersion":"1","content":{"id":"cmtc8z7sf0004ndu1k9dsq1f3","slug":"janus-the-army-s-plan-to-put-microreactors-on-base-20260828","title":"Janus: The Army's Plan to Put Microreactors on Bases","level":"EASY","publishedAt":"2026-08-28T01:02:51.720Z"},"topic":{"slug":"janus-the-army-s-plan-to-put-microreactors-on-base-20260828","category":"science"},"article":{"paragraphs":["The U.S. Army awarded up to $2.2 billion to five companies to build small nuclear reactors for Army bases. The program is called Janus. The Army says the reactors will give bases reliable power if the electric grid fails.","Each company will site a reactor at one base: Antares at Fort Bragg, BWXT at Fort Campbell, General Atomics at Fort Hood, Radiant at Fort Benning, and Westinghouse at Fort Drum. The Army aims to have a working reactor by September 30, 2028. The reactors will produce between one and twenty megawatts of power. Vendors will be paid only after they meet technical milestones. The prototype reactors will be owned and run by the contractors."],"wordCount":114,"readTime":2},"vocabulary":[{"word":"microreactor","example":"A microreactor can fit in a shipping container.","phonetic":"/ˌmaɪ.kroʊˈriː.æk.tər/","definition":"A very small, factory-built nuclear power unit."},{"word":"Janus","example":"The Janus program pairs companies with Army bases.","phonetic":"/ˈdʒeɪ.nəs/","definition":"The name of the Army program to place microreactors on bases."},{"word":"megawatt","example":"One reactor can make up to twenty megawatts.","phonetic":"/ˈmɛɡəwɒt/","definition":"A unit of power equal to one million watts."}],"quiz":[{"answer":"The U.S. Army","question":"Who awarded up to $2.2 billion?"},{"answer":"Janus","question":"What is the program called?"},{"answer":"Fort Bragg","question":"Where will Antares site its reactor?"}],"discussion":[{"question":"Do you worry about power outages where you live? How do they affect you?"},{"question":"Have you ever visited a military base or large industrial site? What did you notice about power and buildings?"},{"question":"What do you think when you hear the word \"nuclear\"? How does that make you feel?"}]}