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

The U.S. Air Force awarded NANO Nuclear Energy a Phase I AFWERX contract to adapt its KRONOS MMR microreactor for defense sites.

The gas-cooled system is designed for modular, stationary power without local water or grid access, using helium cooling and HALEU TRISO fuel.

An optional molten-salt storage system could extend output, while NANO advances fuel-handling work and NRC pre-application licensing.

The selection may speed deployment of portable nuclear power for military bases, improving energy resilience and reducing logistics dependence.