The Army plans to install a small nuclear reactor at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, according to a Stars and Stripes report published Sept. 22, 2026. The project represents a major infrastructure and energy modernization step for the installation.
The report did not specify a timeline for construction or operation, nor did it name the reactor design or the contractor.
The plan is part of a broader Army effort to modernize its energy infrastructure and increase resilience at its installations.
In a related development, the Army FUZE Strategic Integration Program hosted the inaugural xTechAutonomy Phase II Live Demonstrations in July 2026 at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory’s Robotics Research Collaboration Campus at Graces Quarters in Maryland, near Aberdeen Proving Ground. Seven small businesses demonstrated autonomous capabilities in areas such as power generation, logistics, spectrum awareness, and unmanned systems. The event was part of a process that began in 2023 with over 200 proposals, down-selected to 40 finalists and 20 prize winners who shared $400,000 in cash awards. Each winner later received Army SBIR Phase I awards of up to $250,000, and seven advanced to Phase II.
Sources: DVIDS News · US Army