The US Department of War is preparing major military installations to operate independently for at least 90 days if a major conflict disrupts civilian power grids, fuel supplies and global supply chains, according to a report by Fox News published on October 25, 2026.
The initiative, known as FORTRESS, is designed to help US forces maintain essential operations even if the civilian infrastructure supporting military facilities is disrupted during a major conflict.
According to Fox News Digital, documents reviewed by the outlet outline plans for major military installations in the continental United States to maintain access to electricity, water, fuel and communications without relying on external support.
Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell said the military could no longer treat dependence on civilian infrastructure as an acceptable risk for national defence.
The plan reportedly includes microgrids, large-scale battery storage and portable nuclear reactors to help military bases maintain electricity during prolonged outages. It also calls for strategic reserves of ammunition, fuel, critical minerals, spare parts and medical supplies.
Another component involves preparing civilian factories to switch to defence production during a crisis and establishing alternative supply routes to reduce dependence on individual suppliers and overseas manufacturing.
The initiative reflects US military concerns that a future major conflict could extend beyond overseas battlefields to include cyberattacks, sabotage and disruptions to infrastructure on American soil.
However, the announcement does not mean that a nationwide power outage is expected or imminent. Rather, it describes preparations for a possible emergency scenario in which essential civilian systems become unavailable.
The Pentagon has not publicly announced a deadline for all major installations to achieve the proposed 90-day self-sufficiency standard.