Context and challenge – powering the future battlefield
Militaries face a complex challenge to power the future battlefield. On one hand there are rapidly increasing power demand from modern capabilities such as computing power for artificial intelligence (AI) augmented command and control (C2), directed energy weapons, sensor networks, electromagnetic warfare and powering the proliferation of uncrewed systems[1]. On the other hand, the battlefield is becoming more dispersed, more contested and less permissive for traditional logistics and energy supply. Additionally, there is the challenge to achieve net zero targets. It is currently unclear how the power-hungry capabilities already being fielded will be sustained and maintained in a protracted conflict.
Traditional military energy supply chains have always been vulnerable to kinetic and increasingly cyber-attack. During the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, attacks on fuel convoys accounted for a disproportionately large number of casualties[2]. More recently the conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated how targeting pipelines, fuel depots and power stations can paralyse both military and civilian infrastructure, reducing the combat effectiveness of deployed units.
Historically, operational energy has been considered a logistical support function and seen as a secondary commodity. This mindset must pivot. It is imperative that energy is seen as a core warfighting capability to meet the challenges of the future digitised and electrified battlefield. The technological landscape for deployed energy is evolving daily and industry can support in meeting the warfighting needs of tomorrow.
Micro modular nuclear reactors (MMRs), a possible solution?
Micro modular nuclear reactors (MMRs) are a potential part of the solution to the challenges above by delivering long-duration, high power with minimal resupply needs. Work has already begun in the US, where the recently announced the US Army Janus Program aims to develop and test deployable MMRs[3]. In the civil space, Amazon, Google and Microsoft are also heavily investing in modular nuclear reactors to power data centres and AI[4,5]. Serious consideration should therefore be given to defence use cases.
Micro modular reactors are designed to be mass produced in factories and deployed as a single system. MMR power outputs typically range from 0.5 MW to 20 MW in a deployable package potentially small as a shipping container. For comparison, small modular reactors (SMRs) are static installations in the 50 MW to 500 MW range and existing large nuclear power plant reactors are typically bespoke installations producing more than 1,000 MW per reactor.
There are a range of proposed MMR designs including miniaturised versions of the common pressurised water reactor (PWR) and alternatives such as high temperature gas cooled reactors (HTGR) and molten salt reactors (MSR). Each have advantages and disadvantages, but several leading MMR designs favour HTGR due to the inherent containment features of the TRISO fuel. Regardless of reactor type, most MMR proposals aim for at least a 5 year refuelling cycle. With all MMR designs still undergoing regulatory approval, commercial operational is not likely before 2030. For more technical details and a comparison of the most promising MMR designs, complete this form to request a copy of the full article.
MMR forward deployment – benefits and limitations
Deployment of MMRs in military forward operating bases offers three key benefits: enduring high-power output, minimal resupply requirements and compact modular containment. With a typical 1 to 5 MW output, MMRs would provide ample power for AI compute, electronic warfare and communications, asset charging and directed energy weapons. The approximately five year refuelling cycle practically eliminates fuel resupply convoys that would otherwise need to transport 190 tonnes of diesel a week for five years to match 5 MW of MMR generation capacity[6]. Packing these benefits into a compact, sealed-core design, positions MMRs as a strong option for deployment in semi-permanent or enduring forward operating bases, removing reliance on potentially vulnerable local civil power grids or fuel resupply convoys.
However, there are potential limitations to MMRs in defence settings. The presence of nuclear material in transit and at forward operating bases is clearly a risk, but is somewhat mitigated by the sealed core designs and small reactor footprints allowing for potential concealment. Effective cybersecurity for the reactor control systems is also critical.
Other considerations include supply chain risks for the high-assay low enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel for HTGR designs, although this is being addressed through sovereign production facility construction, for example in the UK and US. Like any nuclear reactor, spent fuel must be safely managed, however some MMR designs tackle this by proposing that the entire system is returned to the manufacturer at end of life. The economics of MMRs are yet to be proven, but effectively scaled modular manufacture could reduce costs and expedite regulatory approval. With industry support, the strategic advantages of MMRs could outweigh the limitations.
Babcock’s potential role in deployed MMRs
MMRs offer potentially huge benefits in deployed scenarios, but there are several hurdles for defence customers to overcome, particularly around regulation, integration, operation and support through life. There is an opportunity for industry to provide a turnkey solution to generate reliable nuclear power as requested by customers, covering system specification, manufacture, integration, operation, through life support and decommissioning.
Babcock currently owns nuclear licenced sites and has significant experience operating in a defence nuclear regulated environment maintaining the UK submarine fleet. Babcock also has extensive civil nuclear operational, design and decommissioning expertise through the Cavendish Nuclear business.
Successful uptake of MMRs would require scaled modular manufacture. Babcock could leverage its existing high integrity manufacturing capability from marine, nuclear and land projects to produce MMR components, including pressure vessels. Such an approach could guarantee sovereign production or scale production alongside an MMR partner.
MMRs may not only be deployed on land, but also at sea, whether providing power for other systems or primarily for propulsion. There are both defence and civil applications that Babcock is investigating using its marine and nuclear expertise.
Babcock’s combination of approvals, supply chain, partnerships, expertise and domain experience uniquely positions it to provide forward deployed nuclear power from manufacture to operation and support to decommissioning, in a lifetime engineering role.
Complete this form to request your copy of the full thought leadership article.
Contributors
Dr Chris Lewis, Jamie Francis, Kevin Vincent, Grant Christie, Jim Sibson
References
[1] J. V. E. B. D. Simulcik, “Electrification of the joint force: Challenges and opportunities for competition in the Pacific and Arctic theaters,” The Electricity Journal, vol. 38, no. 1, 2025.
[2] Army Technology, “Casualty Costs of Fuel and Water Resupply Convoys in Afghanistan and Iraq,” 25 February 2010. [Online]. Available: https://www.army-technology.com/features/feature77200/?cf-view&cf-closed. [Accessed 1 December 2025].
[3] U.S. Army Public Affairs, “Army announces Janus Program for next-generation nuclear energy,” 14 October 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.army.mil/article/288903/army_announces_janus_program_for_next_generation_nuclear_energy. [Accessed 1 December 2025].
[4] X-energy, “Amazon Invests in X-energy to Support Advanced Small Modular Nuclear Reactors and Expand Carbon-Free Power,” 16 October 2024. [Online]. Available: https://x-energy.com/media/news-releases/amazon-invests-in-x-energy-to-support-advanced-small-modular-nuclear-reactors-and-expand-carbon-free-power. [Accessed 7 January 2026].
[5] Google, “New nuclear clean energy agreement with Kairos Power,” 14 October 2024. [Online]. Available: https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/sustainability/google-kairos-power-nuclear-energy-agreement/. [Accessed 7 January 2026].
[6] Cummins, “Generator Set Data Sheet DQFAD,” Global PWR, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.globalpwr.com/wp-content/uploads/cut-sheets/gps-cummins-1000-kw-dqfad-data-sheet.pdf. [Accessed 12 December 2025].