Pentagon is preparing a 'doomsday plan' for US bases to survive 90 days without power grids or supply chains
Pete Hegseth vowed the US cannot be "starved out, shut down, or cut off" as the Pentagon assesses some 500 installations for energy independence, including portable nuclear reactors and local microgrids.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth launched the FORTRESS initiative on 30 September, describing it as 'the nation's insurance policy' against being 'starved out, shut down, or cut off.' The programme covers roughly 500 installations across the continental US; some elements are expected to take years to implement, and no overall deadline has been announced.
FORTRESS stands for Federal Operations for Resilience, Troop Resources, Energy, Supply and Survivability — its five pillars include portable nuclear reactors, microgrids and strategic reserves of munitions, minerals and medical supplies.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell warned: 'The next conflict will likely be fought on multiple fronts — when that happens, global supply chains will break.'
The plan also envisages civilian manufacturers converting to defence output through a Civil Reserve Manufacturing Network, with advance contracts, cybersecurity measures and regular mobilisation exercises already in development.
