By The Watertown Post Editorial Team
In what could mark the beginning of a high-tech transformation across America’s armed forces, President Donald J. Trump has signed an executive order directing the retrofitting of key U.S. military installations with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure—and, perhaps most strikingly, small modular nuclear reactors to power them.
And right here in the North Country, Fort Drum may be about to take center stage.
The executive directive, framed as a bold move to fortify American military dominance and energy independence, calls for rapid deployment of AI capabilities across select bases and data centers. These AI systems will power logistics, defense coordination, cyber operations, and autonomous response systems. But AI infrastructure requires one thing above all else: reliable, independent power. That’s where the mini-nukes come in.
Fort Drum: A Natural Choice
Fort Drum is already under consideration for one of the Department of Defense’s pilot small modular reactor (SMR) programs. With support from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a growing chorus of state and federal lawmakers—including Governor Kathy Hochul and Reps. Elise Stefanik and Claudia Tenney—Fort Drum has emerged as a leading candidate.
And it’s not hard to see why.
The base’s geography, mission-critical status, and logistical layout make it an ideal testbed. Fort Drum’s energy needs are already substantial, and ensuring uninterrupted power is a matter of national security. An SMR would provide that power, cleanly and efficiently, while enabling the base to serve as a model for the fusion of energy resilience and AI warfare capabilities.
AI and the New Arsenal
Trump’s order doesn’t just signal a new Cold War tech race—it aims to win it. The plan is to have federal sites ready for AI operations by the end of 2027, with construction on new energy and data facilities beginning before the end of 2025.
AI integration into military operations means real-time threat assessment, autonomous drone swarms, battlefield logistics managed by predictive algorithms, and cyber defense systems that can adapt and counter faster than any human operator. And if Fort Drum is equipped with both an SMR and a federally-backed AI operations center, it could become one of the most advanced military hubs in the country.
The Local Impact
For the residents of Watertown and the surrounding region, this development means more than just national prestige. We’re talking jobs—construction, tech, operations, security. We’re talking new infrastructure. We’re talking economic growth in an area that has seen its fair share of uncertainty.
Of course, not everyone is sold on the nuclear angle. Critics raise concerns about safety, long-term costs, and environmental impact. But supporters argue the new generation of small modular reactors is light-years safer than anything built in the 20th century, and the need for grid independence is more urgent than ever.
The Bottom Line
Watertown has always backed its soldiers. Now it might be time for the Army to back Watertown—with a stake in the future of military innovation.
If Fort Drum gets the green light, the city won’t just be home to the 10th Mountain Division. It’ll be a flagship for America’s next military revolution.
Stay tuned, Watertown. The future is knocking—powered by AI, fueled by nuclear, and possibly headquartered right in our backyard.
The Watertown Post – May 2025
Local. Independent. Unafraid.
By The Watertown Post Editorial Team
In what could mark the beginning of a high-tech transformation across America’s armed forces, President Donald J. Trump has signed an executive order directing the retrofitting of key U.S. military installations with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure—and, perhaps most strikingly, small modular nuclear reactors to power them.
And right here in the North Country, Fort Drum may be about to take center stage.
The executive directive, framed as a bold move to fortify American military dominance and energy independence, calls for rapid deployment of AI capabilities across select bases and data centers. These AI systems will power logistics, defense coordination, cyber operations, and autonomous response systems. But AI infrastructure requires one thing above all else: reliable, independent power. That’s where the mini-nukes come in.
Fort Drum: A Natural Choice
Fort Drum is already under consideration for one of the Department of Defense’s pilot small modular reactor (SMR) programs. With support from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and a growing chorus of state and federal lawmakers—including Governor Kathy Hochul and Reps. Elise Stefanik and Claudia Tenney—Fort Drum has emerged as a leading candidate.
And it’s not hard to see why.
The base’s geography, mission-critical status, and logistical layout make it an ideal testbed. Fort Drum’s energy needs are already substantial, and ensuring uninterrupted power is a matter of national security. An SMR would provide that power, cleanly and efficiently, while enabling the base to serve as a model for the fusion of energy resilience and AI warfare capabilities.
AI and the New Arsenal
Trump’s order doesn’t just signal a new Cold War tech race—it aims to win it. The plan is to have federal sites ready for AI operations by the end of 2027, with construction on new energy and data facilities beginning before the end of 2025.
AI integration into military operations means real-time threat assessment, autonomous drone swarms, battlefield logistics managed by predictive algorithms, and cyber defense systems that can adapt and counter faster than any human operator. And if Fort Drum is equipped with both an SMR and a federally-backed AI operations center, it could become one of the most advanced military hubs in the country.
The Local Impact
For the residents of Watertown and the surrounding region, this development means more than just national prestige. We’re talking jobs—construction, tech, operations, security. We’re talking new infrastructure. We’re talking economic growth in an area that has seen its fair share of uncertainty.
Of course, not everyone is sold on the nuclear angle. Critics raise concerns about safety, long-term costs, and environmental impact. But supporters argue the new generation of small modular reactors is light-years safer than anything built in the 20th century, and the need for grid independence is more urgent than ever.
The Bottom Line
Watertown has always backed its soldiers. Now it might be time for the Army to back Watertown—with a stake in the future of military innovation.
If Fort Drum gets the green light, the city won’t just be home to the 10th Mountain Division. It’ll be a flagship for America’s next military revolution.
Stay tuned, Watertown. The future is knocking—powered by AI, fueled by nuclear, and possibly headquartered right in our backyard.
The Watertown Post – May 2025
Local. Independent. Unafraid.
