U.S. Military Prepares for 90-Day Operation Without Power Grid

Fox News reports that the Department of Defense is preparing for a potential “doomsday” situation in which the U.S. power grid fails, supply chains freeze, and military bases must operate independently for up to three months without external assistance.

Leaked documents reveal an unprecedented plan known as FORTRESS, developed by Pentagon strategists, which aims to ensure key military installations across the continental U.S. can function on their own for at least 90 days. For example, on February 13, 2026, at March Air Reserve Base in California, Air Force personnel and civilian contractors prepared a portable nuclear reactor for transport aboard a C-17 Globemaster III. As Defense spokesperson Sean Parnell explained, “We cannot count on standard civilian infrastructure to sustain our national defense. The risk is simply unacceptable.”

To ensure independence during prolonged blackouts, the Department of Defense is exploring the use of portable nuclear reactors, massive battery systems, and self-sustaining microgrids. Officials have long feared that a major loss of power could severely cripple military communications, command structures, logistics, and munitions production.

FORTRESS also reportedly includes the buildup of ammunition, fuel, critical minerals, electronics, spare parts, and medical supplies. Civilian firms may be called upon to quickly shift operations to support the military during conflict.

Additional preparations involve routine industrial stress tests, mobilization drills, and steps to protect military communications and navigation systems from satellite outages or GPS jamming.

Reflecting on national security, Parnell stated, “We used to believe that America’s borders and oceans protected us. President Trump realized those days are over, and his strategies—like Golden Dome and renewed hemispheric focus—reflect today’s threats.”

Officials warn that any major conflict would likely disrupt global supply chains, making it critical for the military to be ready for conflict on multiple fronts.

The U.S. power grid faces continual threats from both foreign adversaries and domestic actors. In February 2024, agencies such as the National Security Agency warned that Chinese hackers linked to Volt Typhoon had breached critical infrastructure networks—including energy, water, transportation, and communication systems. In December 2022, armed assailants attacked two power substations in North Carolina, cutting electricity to around 45,000 people for five days.