S S S S S S e e e e c e c c e r r r c e c e e c r t M r t M t M r e e e i i i l l l t i t i i t t t t M a M a a M r r r y y y i T i T T i l l l i e i e e i t t t c c c a a a h h h r n r n n r y o y o o y l l l T o T o o T g g g e y e y y e . . . c c c c c c S o S o S o h h h e m e m e m nc c n c n r INTELLIGENrCE REPORT: r e e e o o o t t t M M M l CONSOLIDATED PROFILEl OF DR. l o o o i i i l l l i i i gt t g t g a EDWARD THOMAaS JR. a yr r y r y y y y .T T . T . ce e c e c PIR-1: ANALYSIS OF DOMAIN EXPERTISE oc c o c o S h S h S h mnRELEVANCE TO CFR / FRC TEnCHNOLOGY m n m e e e o o o c l o c l o c l o This gsection establishes the foundational premise of the invgestigation: that the specific and g r r r e demonystrable expeertise of Dr. Edward Thomas Jr. is not mereyly adjacent to, but is a direct and e y . . . compellincg match for, the unique and formidable engineering chcallenges of a clandestine c t S o tS o S t o M hardware program to dMevelop a Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) fusion device, such as the M e m e m e m c Lockheed Martin Skunk Wcorks® Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR). c i r ir r i l e le e l i i i t t M 1.1. The Significance oftt Man Experimentalist in a "Black" Programt M t a a a i Context i i r l i lri l i r t t t y a ya a y T r y Verified Fact: Dr. Edward Thomas Jr.'s pr Tr y ofessional profile and extensive publication record r y T T explicitly identify his primary research area aTs "Experimental Plasma Physics". His career has T e e e e been defined by the practical, hands-on designe, construction, and operation of sophisticated e c c cc c c laboratory experiments. These include the Magnetized Dusty Plasma Experiment (MDPX), a h h h h h h nmulti-user facility featuring a 6,000-pound supercondnucting magnet, and the Auburn Linear n n o Experiment for Instability Studies (ALEXIS). His resear onch methodology is centered on the o n l l l o o o o application of advanced optical diagnostics, such as laseros and spectroscopy, to directly o g g g l measuyre the properties and behavior of plasma. ly y l o The focu.sc on experimental, hardware-based research is the si o n.gcle most important technical . c o S g indicator of orelevance S to the program of interest. A clandestine effgoort like the S Skunk Works® o g e m e m e m y CFR is, by definition, a "black" hardware program, not a "white" theoryetical one. The primary y c c c r . challenges are not in derivinrg new equations, but in building a physical d.evice that rcan . e e e c c c t successfully form, confine, and tsustain a stable, high-temperature plasma. An experimtentalist M o M o M o S with aS proven track record of building and operating complex plasma devices possesses S i i i l i mprecisely the skillset required to solvlei these tangible, real-world engineering promblems. l i m e t e t te a This context renders Dr. Thomas's confairmed presence at the March 2006 "Confronting Gravitay" c r c r rc y workshop a significant anomaly. The evenyt, sponsored by Jeffrey Epstein, was overwhelmingly y r T r T Tr populated by the world's leading theoretical physicists and cosmologists, whose work focuses e e e e ee c on abstract concepts such as quantum gravity ancd the nature of the universe. The inclusion of a c t t t M hhands-on experimentalMist specializing in fusion enehrgy at a conference ostensibly dedicated to h M n n n theoretical cosmology suggests the workshop's purpose may have extended beyond purely o o o i aclademic discussions, indiciating a potential interest by tlhe organizers or sponsors in bridging li l o l o ol i i i abstrgact theory with practical, hardware-based applicationsg. g t t t a The dis y tinction between an experaimentalist and a theorist is n y ot merely academic; it is a ya . . . c c c r fundamental differentiator in assessinrg potential involvement in a clandestine hardware r S o S o S o y y y e program. Whimle theoristse can provide foundational concepts, it is them experimenetalists who m T c c T c T r r r e e e e e e t t t c M M c M c h i l i l h i l h i i i t t t n a a n a n r r r o y y o y o T T T l l l o e e o e o c c c g h h g h g n n n y y y o o o . l l . l . o o o c c c g g g o y y o y o . . . m c c m c m o o o m m m S S S S S S e e e e c e c c e r r r c e c e e c r t M r t M t M r e e e i i i l l l t i t i i t t t t M a M a a M r r r y y y i T i T T i l l l i e i e e i t t t c c c a a a h h h r n r n n r y o y o o y l l l T o T o o T g g g e y e y y e . . . c c c c c c S o S o S o h h h e possess the "mtribal knoweledge" of how to make complex systems funmction in thee real world. This m nc c n c n includes a deep, practical understanding of vacuum technology, high-voltage pulsed power r r r e e e o systems, material tolerances under extreme conditions, anod the nuanced interpretation of o t t t M M M l diagnostic data. This practical expertise represents the criticall path for any program seeking to l o o o i l move from a concept on paper to a iwlorking prototype. Dr. Thomas is the human embodimielnt of i i i gt t g t g a this critical path. His anomalous presenace at the Epstein workshop suggests he may have beean yr identified and invited specifically for this prractical expertise, potentiallyy as a recruitment or r y y y y .T vetting opportunity by entities interested in thTe tangible application of ad.vanced physics. T . ce e c e c oc c o c o S h1.2. MSapping Expertise to FRC Stabilhity Challenges S h mn n m n m e e e o o o Verified Fact: A core focus of Dr. Thomas's research is "plasma instabilities". His publication c l o c l o c l o record includes extensive studies on "electrostatic instabilities in plasmas with sheared flows" g g g r r r e and they properties e of "lower hybrid and electromagnetic ion cyyclotron waves". His laboratory, e y . . . ALEXIS, wcas specifically designed to investigate these phenomecna. c t S o tS o S t o M This specific domain exMpertise directly maps to the primary obstacle in applied FRC research: M e m e m e m c controlling destructive magcnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities. FRC devices, wchile attractive i l r e for their high power density i ar lned simple geometry, are notoriously susceptible to sevreeral i l i i i t t M "FRC-killing" instabilities that cattn M terminate the plasma confinement in microseconds. tT M he two t a a a most critical are: i i i r l i ● The n=1 Tilt Mode: A global, l irniternal instability where the compact plasma torus viol l eintly r t t t y a ya a y tumbles or tilts within the cylindrical confinement vessel, leading to rapid loss of r r r T y confinement. Early MHD analysis p T ryedicted this mode would be catastrophic, though y T T T T e experiments have shown it can be stabeilized by kinetic effects related to ion gyroradii. e e e e c c ● The n=2 Rotational Instability: A magnecctorotational instability that causes the elongated c c h h h h plasma column to develop an elliptical distorthion. As the plasma rotates, this distortion can h n n n n o grow, causing the plasma to come into contact won ith the chamber wall, destroying the o n l oconfiguration. l o l o o o o Dr. Tghomas's work on wave-particle interactions, sheared flgows, and methods for diagnosing g l y ly y l o and cont.rolling plasma behavior is directly applicable to the adov.anced techniques used to . o c c c S g mitigate the o se specificS instabilities. Modern FRC experiments rely g o on methodSs such as applying o g e external shapming fields, neeutral beam injection to create a stabilizingm populatione of high-energy m y y y c c c ions, and the use of Rotating Magnetic Fields (RMF) to drive current and actively control the r . r . r . e e e c plasma's rotation speed, directly suppressing the n=2 rotational instabilityc. Dr. Thomas's c t t t M ofundamental research into the phMysics of plasma flows and wave propagatioon provides Mthe o S S S i foundational knowledge required to iunderstand and optimize these very control mechanismis. l m l m l m i i i e t a The challeenges of FRC stability are notta generic plasma physics problems; they are highly t a e c r specific to thec compact toroid topology. Arn expert in "plasma instabilities" in general might not rc y y y r T be relevant, but ran expert whose work involvTes the precise types of wave-particle interactions Tr e e and flow dynamics e known to drive or stabilize tehese specific modes is of exceptionally high ee c c c t hvalue. Dr. Thomas's rtesearch portfolio acts as an uhnclassified analog to the classified problems h t M M M nthat the Skunk Works® team would be trying to solven. A program manager at Skunk Works® n o o o reviewing his body of work would immediately recognize its direct applicability. His laboratory i l i l li l o l o ol i could function as an open-souirce testbed for concepts and diagnostic techniques relevant to the i g g g t t t a classifiyed program's stability challaenges. y ya . . . c c c r r r y S 1.3. Releovance o S f Fusion Eneyrgy Focus o S o y e m e m e m T c c T c T r r r e e e e e e t t t c M M c M c h i l i l h i l h i i i t t t n a a n a n r r r o y y o y o T T T l l l o e e o e o c c c g h h g h g n n n y y y o o o . l l . l . o o o c c c g g g o y y o y o . . . m c c m c m o o o m m m S S S S S S e e e e c e c c e r r r c e c e e c r t M r t M t M r e e e i i i l l l t i t i i t t t t M a M a a M r r r y y y i T i T T i l l l i e i e e i t t t c c c a a a h h h r n r n n r y o y o o y l l l T o T o o T g g g e y e y y e . . . c c c c c c S o S o S o h h h e Verified Factm: Dr. Thomaes explicitly lists "fusion energy" as a primarmy researche focus throughout m nc c n c n his career. His academic and professional history demonstrates a long-term, career-spanning r r r e e e o commitment to the goal of achieving controlled nuclear fusoion for power generation. His o t t t M M M l graduate work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (lMIT) was conducted at the Plasma l o o o i l Fusion Center on the Alcator C-Modi l tokamak, a major national fusion experiment. Followini lg i i i gt t g t g a this, he was a Research Assistant at thae Fusion Research Laboratory at Auburn University. Hae yr is also a long-standing member of the Unriversity Fusion Association,y serving on its Executive r y y y y .T Committee from 2009-2011, and has been inTvolved with the internationa.l ITER project. T . ce e c e c This background aligns perfectly with the stated objective of the Skunk Works® program: to oc c o c o S hdeveloSp a Compact Fusion Reactor. His expertise his not limited to abstract plasma phenomeSna; h mnit is grounded in the specific application of plasma phnysics to the problem of fus m ion energy. This n m e e e o o o indicates he possesses the crucial contextual knowledge of reactor design principles, plasma c l o c l o c l o heating and control, fuel cycles, and energy conversion that would be essential for contributing g g g r r r e to a proygram like t e he CFR. y e y . . . Dr. Thomacs's early-career experience on the Alcator C-Mod tokacmak at MIT is highly significant. c t S o tS o S t o M While the CFR is an FRMC and not a tokamak, experience on a major national fusion experiment M e m e m e m c provides invaluable trainingc in the operational realities of large-scale, high-powerc fusion devices. i l r e This includes hands-on expe irrletise with high-field superconducting magnets, ultra-higr eh vacuum i l i i i t t M systems, a wide array of sophisttti M cated plasma diagnostics, and the complex data acqut M isition t a a a and analysis systems required to operate under extreme conditions. This experience provides a i i i r l i level of practical engineering credibil lriity that goes far beyond typical academic laboratory wo l irk, r t t t y a ya a y making him a far more valuable and "de-risked" potential asset for a high-stakes hardware r r r T y program. It demonstrates a "systems-leve T ly" thinking that encompasses not just the plasma y T T T T e physics but the integrated engineering challeenges of building a functional reactor. For a program e e e e c c like the CFR, which requires the seamless integrccation of multiple complex subsystems, this kind c c h h h h of holistic perspective is exceptionally rare and valuhable. h n n n n o on o n Pl oIR-2: FORENSIC INVESTIGATIOl oN OF CLANDESTINE l o o o o g g g l LINKyS ly y l o . o. . o c c c S g o S go S o g e This section mmoves frome the analysis of technical relevance to a foremnsic invesetigation of Dr. m y y y c Thomas's professional life,c searching for the tangible funding, network, and instituctional r . r . r . e c connections that would indicaete witting or unwitting contact with the U.S. dcefense-indeustrial base c t t t M oand its clandestine programs. M o M o S S S i i i l m l m l m i i i e t 2.1. Foreensic Funding Analytsis te a a a c r c r rc y y y r T Verified Fact: Trhe Magnetized Plasma ResTearch Laboratory (MPRL) and Dr. Thomas's broader Tr e e research activitiese at Auburn University have ae long and consistent history of receiving ee c c c t substantial funding frotm both the Department of Energy (DoE) and the Department of Defense t h h h M M M n(DoD). n n o o o A funding summary for the MPRL, as of Fall 2024, explicitly details the cumulative support i l i l li l rec o eived since 1998 from keyl federal agencies with a nat o ional security mission. This history ol i i i g g g t t t provides dispositive proof of a deep, long-standing, and high-dollar value relationship between a y a y ya Dr. Thom.as's laboratory and the U.S. national security establish.ment. The funding from the . c c c r r r y S Defense Thoreat Reduc S tion Agency (DTyRA) is particularly notewortohy, as DTR S A's mission is to o y e m e m e m counter weapons of mass destruction, suggesting that the lab's research has been evaluated as T c c T c T r r r e e e e e e t t t c M M c M c h i l i l h i l h i i i t t t n a a n a n r r r o y y o y o T T T l l l o e e o e o c c c g h h g h g n n n y y y o o o . l l . l . o o o c c c g g g o y y o y o . . . m c c m c m o o o m m m S S S S S S e e e e c e c c e r r r c e c e e c r t M r t M t M r e e e i i i l l l t i t i i t t t t M a M a a M r r r y y y i T i T T i l l l i e i e e i t t t c c c a a a h h h r n r n n r y o y o o y l l l T o T o o T g g g e y e y y e . . . c c c c c c S o S o S o h h h e relevant to higmh-level nateional security threats. m e m nc c n c n The designation of the MPRL as a DoE "collaborative research facility" under grant r r r e e e o DE-SC0019176 is also a critical indicator. This means theo laboratory is not just a recipient of o t t t M M M l funds but is considered a national asset available to other reslearchers, including those from l o o o i l national laboratories like Los Alamoisl National Laboratory (LANL). While no direct funding illine i i i gt t g t g a from LANL to the MPRL is identified in aopen sources, the DoE funding structure and the facilitay's yr user-access mandate provide a plausibler, indirect channel for collaboyration, tasking, and r y y y y .T knowledge transfer. Furthermore, a recent $T11.4 million DoD contract aw.arded to Auburn T . ce e c e c University through the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to establish a radiation hardening test oc c o c o S hfacilityS leverages expertise from the College of Scihences and Mathematics, where Dr. ThomSas h mnserves as Dean, further cementing the university's ronle in the defense research m ecosystem. n m e e e o o o The diverse and sustained funding from multiple national security-related agencies (DoE, c l o c l o c l o DTRA, NASA, MDA, NRL) indicates that Dr. Thomas's lab is not a niche academic entity but a g g g r r r e trustedy node in the e U.S. Science & Technology (S&T) ecosysytem. This pattern of funding e y . . . suggests chis work has been repeatedly vetted and deemed valucable by a wide range of c t S o tS o S t o M program managers acrMoss the defense and energy sectors. This transforms him from a simple M e m e m e m c grant recipient into a "knowcn quantity" within the system. An individual who succecssfully i l r e manages such a diverse po i rrtlfeolio becomes a highly credible and reliable figure withrien i l i i i t t M government circles. This credibtitl M ity is a prerequisite for any potential involvement, wittitn M g or t a a a unwitting, with a highly sensitive national security program, as he has already passed numerous i i i r l i implicit and explicit vetting processes lri associated with these grants. l i r t t t y a ya a y Table 1: Forensic Funding Analysis of Auburn University Plasma Laboratories r r r T y Ty y T Funding Award Number Award Title / Period of Total Amount Principal T T T e e Agency / Identifier Description e ePerformance Investigator(s) e e c c Department of DE-SC0019176 The cc2018 - 2025 $6,103,844 E. Thomas, Jr., c c h h h h Energy (DoE) Magnetized (Rehnewal) (cumulative) U. Konopka, S. h n n n n o Plasma on Chakraborty o n l l l o Research o Thakur o o o o g g g Laboratory as a l y ly y l o . DOE Plasma o. . o c c c S g o S Science Facility go S o g e Defense Thremat Not Spe e cified Previous Pre-2023 $65m3,000 e E. Thomas, Jr. m y y y c c c r . Reduction rSupport for (cumula . tive) r . e e e c Agency (DTRA) Research c c t t t S M oNationSal JPL-RSA M PK-4: Complex 2017 - 2021 $570,000 oE. Tho M masS, Jr. o i i i l mAeronautics 1571699 Plaslma under (cumulative) m l m i i i e t e t te a and Space Microgaravity a c r c r rc y Administration y y r T (NASA) r T Tr e e e e ee National OIA-2148653 EPSCoR: RII 2022 - 2027 >$2.8 million E. Thomas, Jr. c c c t t t M hScience MTrack-1: FTPP: h (AU Portion) (AU PI) h M n n n Foundation Future o o o i (NlSF) iTechnologies l li l o l o ol i g iand Enabling g g i t t t a y Palasma y ya . . . r c Procresses c c r S o S o S o y y y e Other Federaml Not Speecified General 1998 - Present $22m,000 eE. Thomas, Jr. m T c c T c T r r r e e e e e e t t t c M M c M c h i l i l h i l h i i i t t t n a a n a n r r r o y y o y o T T T l l l o e e o e o c c c g h h g h g n n n y y y o o o . l l . l . o o o c c c g g g o y y o y o . . . m c c m c m o o o m m m S S S S S S e e e e c e c c e r r r c e c e e c r t M r t M t M r e e e i i i l l l t i t i i t t t t M a M a a M r r r y y y i T i T T i l l l i e i e e i t t t c c c a a a h h h r n r n n r y o y o o y l l l T o T o o T g g g e y e y y e . . . c c c c c c S o S o S o h h h e Funding mAward Neumber Award Title / Period of Totaml Amount ePrincipal m nc c n c n r Agency / Identifier rDescription Performance Inrvestigator(s) e e e o Agencies Research o(cumulative o t t t M M M l Support lfrom NRL, etc.) l o o o i i i l Department of Not Specified Conltract for Post-2025 $11.4 million (to N/A (Levelrages i i i gt t g t g a Defense (DoD) Radiataion AU) COSAM a yr r y r y y Hardeningy expertise) y .T T . T . Facility (to ce e c e c AUARI) oc c o c o S hSourc S es: h S h mn n m n m e o2.2. Proefessional Network Mapping and oCareer Path Analysis e o c l o c l o c l o r Verifgied Fact: Drr. Thomas has mentored a significant cohogrt of graduate students and r g e y e y e y post-doc.toral scholars at Auburn University, with his curriculum. vitae listing approximately 30 . c c c t S individuals owho have tcSompleted advanced degrees or research apopointmentSs under his t o M M M e supervision. m e m e m c c c i r A systematic analysis of thei r subsequent career paths of these individuals reveals a r consistent i l e le e l i and high-volume pipeline of tailent from Dr. Thomas's laboratory directly into the U.S. i t a t M defense-industrial base and its t a tMsasociated national laboratory system. This is not a ran t Mdom t a r i l i distribution of talent across academiialri and industry; it is a highly targeted flow of specializeidl i r t t t y a experimental plasma physicists into keyya national security organizations. a y T r y The career trajectory of Dr. Thomas's pror Tté y gés is the single most compelling piece of r y T T circumstantial evidence uncovered in this invTestigation. The data demonstrates that his T e e e e e e laboratory functions as a de facto human capital pipeline, producing highly specialized experts c c cc c c hwho are then hired into critical positions within the hvery organizations most likely to be involved h h h h nin clandestine advanced propulsion research. The plnacement of students at LANL (the n n o on o n institutional origin of the CFR's FRC research), major defense contractors like Boeing, and key l l l o o o o DoD research centers like AFRL and NRL is a powerful inodicator of a deep, symbiotic o g g g l relationyship. The lab trains students with the exact skills needlyed by these organizations, and y l o . o. . o these orgcanizations, in turn, provide a reliable and consistent emcployment stream for his c S g o S go S o g graduates. e m e m e m c y This established pipeline ccould be leveraged by intelligence or prograym recruitersc. They could y r . approach Dr. Thomas (a trusrted, long-term grant recipient) for recomme.ndations onr his top . e e e c c c t students, effectively using him ats a talent-spotter without ever revealing the classified tnature of M o M o M o S the ultSimate employment. The recent transition of Dr. Dylan Funk to Los Alamos National S i i i l m l m l m i Laboratory in 2023 is a contemporaryi and direct example of this pipeline in action. This eleviates e t e t te a a a Dr. Thomas's potential role from a mere subject matter expert to a critical node in the human c r c r rc y capital supply chain for the nation's most aydvanced plasma physics programs. He is a y r T r T Tr gatekeeper for the next generation of talent in this niche and strategically vital field. e e e e ee c Table 2: Professional Network Linkage Analycsis - Former Students and Postdocs c t t t h h h M Name of Protégé RolMe / Degree Completion Date Initial Placement Relevance to PIRs M n n n oDylan Funk Ph.D. Student May 2023 oLos Alamos Circumstantial o i l i l li l o l oNational Link: LANL is the ol i i i g g g t t Laboratory originator of the t a y a y ya . (LAN.L) FRC research that . c c c r r r S o S o Sforms the basis of o y y y e m e m thee Skunk Works® m T c c T c T r r r e e e e e e t t t c M M c M c h i l i l h i l h i i i t t t n a a n a n r r r o y y o y o T T T l l l o e e o e o c c c g h h g h g n n n y y y o o o . l l . l . o o o c c c g g g o y y o y o . . . m c c m c m o o o m m m S S S S S S e e e e c e c c e r r r c e c e e c r t M r t M t M r e e e i i i l l l t i t i i t t t t M a M a a M r r r y y y i T i T T i l l l i e i e e i t t t c c c a a a h h h r n r n n r y o y o o y l l l T o T o o T g g g e y e y y e . . . c c c c c c S o S o S o h h h e Name of Protmégé Role e/ Degree Completion Date Initial Placmement Reelevance to PIRs m nc c n c n r r CFR rprogram. e e e o o Font, a key CFR o t t t M M M l l inventor, also l o o o i i i l l came from LAlNL. i i i gt t g t g a Taylor Hall Ph.D. Student aDec 2019 Sandia National Circumstantiala yr r y r y y y Laboratories Link: Sandia is a y .T T . T . key NNSA ce e c e c laboratory involved oc c o c o S h S h in national sec S urity h mn n m n m e e science and e o o o c l o c l o engineering, c l o g g including pulsed g r r r e y e y power and fusion e y . . . c c research. c t S o tS o S t o M M M e Ivan Arnold mPh.De. Student Aug 2017 Air Forcem Ceircumstantial m c c Research Linck: AFRL is a i r ir r i l e le Laboratory primarey DoD entity l i i i t t M ttM (AFRL) for adva t nMced t a a a i i aerospace i r l i lri l i r t t technology t y a ya a y r r development, r T y Ty y T including T T T e e e e e propulsion and e c c cc directed energy. c c h h h h nN. Ivan Arnold Postdoc Jun 2019 h nDefense Threat Circumstantial n h n o onReduction Link: Direct o n l l l o o o oAgency (DTRA) employment with a o o g g g DoD agency that l y ly y l o . o. previously funded . o c c c S g o S go SDr. Thomas's lab, o g e m e m e m y yindicating a trusted y c c c r . r .relatiornship. . e e e c c c t Erik Tejero Ph.D. Studetnt May 2011 Naval Research Circumsttantial M o M o M o S S Laboratory (NRL) Link: NRL is tShe i i i l i m l i Namvy's corporlaite m e t e t te a a laboratory, with aa c r c r rc y y Plasma Physics y r T r T Tr Division involved e e e e ee c c in space and c t t t M h M h defense h M n n n applications. o o o i Almi DuBois Ph.D. Stiudent Dec 2013 lTAE Circumstantial li l o l o ol i i i g Tgechnologies (via Link: TAE is a g t t t a y a UW y -Madison leading private ya . . . c c c r r Postdoc) company r S o S o S o y y y e m e m deeveloping FRC m T c c T c T r r r e e e e e e t t t c M M c M c h i l i l h i l h i i i t t t n a a n a n r r r o y y o y o T T T l l l o e e o e o c c c g h h g h g n n n y y y o o o . l l . l . o o o c c c g g g o y y o y o . . . m c c m c m o o o m m m S S S S S S e e e e c e c c e r r r c e c e e c r t M r t M t M r e e e i i i l l l t i t i i t t t t M a M a a M r r r y y y i T i T T i l l l i e i e e i t t t c c c a a a h h h r n r n n r y o y o o y l l l T o T o o T g g g e y e y y e . . . c c c c c c S o S o S o h h h e Name of Protmégé Role e/ Degree Completion Date Initial Placmement Reelevance to PIRs m nc c n c n r r fusionr reactors, a e e e o o direct parallel to o t t t M M M l l the CFR concept. l o o o i i i l l DuBois later l i i i gt t g t g a a moved to NRL. a yr r y r y y Ami DuBois Postdoc Apry 2014 Naval Research Circumstantial y .T T . T . Laboratory (NRL) Link: Further ce e c e c reinforces the oc c o c o S h S h pipeline from S h mn n m n m e e Thomas's e o o o c l o c l o academic tree to c l o g g the NRL Plasma g r r r e y e y Physics Division. e y . . . t S Jeremy Hca o nna PhtS .D. Student Dec 2003 Navalc R o esearch S Circumstantial t c o M M M e m e Laboratomry (NRL) Leink: One of the m c c earcliest examples i r ir r i l e le of a dierect career l i i i t t M ttM path from t M t a a a i i Thomas's labi to r l i lri l i r t t NRL's plasma t y a ya a y r r physics division. r T y Ty y T T Spencer LeBlanc Ph.D. Student Dec 2T019 Boeing Circumstantial T e e e e e Link: Boeing is a e c c cc c c prime defense h h h h n h n contractor with n h n o on extensive o n l l l o o o o involvement in o o g g g classified l y ly y l o . o. aerospace . o c c c S g o S go Sprograms. o g e m e m e m y Ross Fisher Ph.D. Student May 2012 Intel Corpy. Circumstantial y c c c r . r .Link:r Intel is a key . e e e c c c t t partner itn the M o M o M o S S DoD's strategSy to i i i l i m l i onmshore the l i m e t e t te a a production of a c r c r rc y y radiation-hardenedy r T r T Tr microelectronics, a e e e e ee c c critical component c t t t M h M h for systems like h M n n n the CFR. o o o i Slource: i l li l o l o ol i i i t 2.3.g Government Advisotry and Consulting Sgearch g t a y a y ya . . . c c c r r r S Verified Faoct: Dr. ThoSmas has served on numerous high-level adovisory comSmittees for U.S. and o y y y e international smcience bodeies, placing him at the nexus of national scmience policye formulation. m T c c T c T r r r e e e e e e t t t c M M c M c h i l i l h i l h i i i t t t n a a n a n r r r o y y o y o T T T l l l o e e o e o c c c g h h g h g n n n y y y o o o . l l . l . o o o c c c g g g o y y o y o . . . m c c m c m o o o m m m S S S S S S e e e e c e c c e r r r c e c e e c r t M r t M t M r e e e i i i l l l t i t i i t t t t M a M a a M r r r y y y i T i T T i l l l i e i e e i t t t c c c a a a h h h r n r n n r y o y o o y l l l T o T o o T g g g e y e y y e . . . c c c c c c S o S o S o h h h e Key appointmments includee: m e m nc c n c n ● National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: r r r e e e o ○ Member, Committee on a Decadal Assessmeont of Plasma Science (Plasma 2020). o t t t M M M l ○ Member, Board on Physics and Astronomy (2022l-2024). l o o o i l ○ Member, Plasma Scienicles Committee (2004-2008). i l i i i gt t g t g a ● National Science Foundation (NaSF): a yr ○ Member, Advisory Committere for Mathematical and Physyical Sciences (2021-2025)r. y y y y .T ● Department of Energy (DoE): T . T . ce e c e c ○ Member, Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (FESAC). oc c o c o S hHis roSle on the Plasma 2020 decadal survey is parhticularly significant. This report sets the S h mnstrategic direction and funding priorities for the entiren field of plasma science for m a decade, n m e e e o o o directly influencing the research agendas of the DoE, NSF, the Office of Naval Research (ONR), c l o c l o c l o and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). Membership on FESAC provides g g g r r r e direct iynput into th e e DoE's fusion energy program, the primaryy federal sponsor of research e y . . . directly reclated to the CFR program. c c t S o tS o S t o M This level of access anMd influence demonstrates that he is not just a researcher but a trusted M e m e m e m c advisor who helps shape thce very landscape in which clandestine programs opercate. Service on i l r e these elite committees provi irdlees an individual with unparalleled strategic awarenessr eand i l i i i t t M high-level network access. He wttM ould be privy to high-level discussions about national tp M riorities, t a a a "grand challenges," and technology gaps long before they become public funding opportunities. i i i r l i This environment is a fertile ground f lroir talent spotting and recruitment by program manage l ris r t t t y a ya a y from classified agencies. His presence on these committees would give representatives from r r r T y DARPA, the Intelligence Community, or S T kyunk Works® a low-threat, professional venue to y T T T T e interact with him, assess his expertise and chearacter, and build the rapport necessary before e e e e c c any sensitive approach could be made. His longcc-term service on these committees makes him a c c h h h h highly vetted and trusted figure, a status that is a prherequisite for any potential involvement with h n n n n oa highly sensitive national security program. on o n l l l o o o o o o 2.4.g Direct Network Cross-Reference g g l y ly y l o . o. . o c c c S g Negative F o inding: A Scomprehensive search of all academic and g p o atent dataSbases, as well as o g e the provided dmocumentaetion including Dr. Thomas's curriculum vitaem and publiceation lists, m y y y c c c reveals no co-authorship, joint conference attendance, or other verifiable professional r . r . r . e e e c intersection between Dr. Edward Thomas Jr. and the key personnel of thec two known U.S. c t t t M oprograms: Thomas McGuire andM Gabriel Ivan Font (Lockheed Martin Skunk oWorks® "bMlack" o S S S i track) or Salvatore Pais and James iSheehy (NAVAIR "white" track). i l m l m l m i i i e t a The compelete absence of any verifiabltea professional contact between Dr. Thomas and the ketya e c r personnel of cthese programs is a significarnt finding. In a highly specialized and relatively small rc y y y r T field like FRC rersearch or advanced propulsTion, one might expect to see some overlap at Tr e e conferences, work e shops, or in publications. Hoewever, this negative finding is the expected ee c c c t hsignature of a professtionally managed, highly comhpartmentalized program. h t M M M nDirect contact between an academic researcher beinng considered for a role (or already n o o o providing support) and the core personnel of a "black" program would be a catastrophic failure i l i l li l o l o ol i of operational security (OPSECi). Any such collaboration would be conducted through i g g g t t t a intermeydiaries—such as a prograam manager at a funding ageyncy like DARPA, ONR, or ya . . . DoE—andc would be strictly firewalled to prevent direct attributionc and protect the identities of c r r r y S the core proogram team S . The absence oyf a discoverable link is theroefore not e S vidence against a o y e m e m e m T c connection; rather, it is evidcence of profesTsional intelligence tradecraft and c T r r r e e e e e e t t t c M M c M c h i l i l h i l h i i i t t t n a a n a n r r r o y y o y o T T T l l l o e e o e o c c c g h h g h g n n n y y y o o o . l l . l . o o o c c c g g g o y y o y o . . . m c c m c m o o o m m m S S S S S S e e e e c e c c e r r r c e c e e c r t M r t M t M r e e e i i i l l l t i t i i t t t t M a M a a M r r r y y y i T i T T i l l l i e i e e i t t t c c c a a a h h h r n r n n r y o y o o y l l l T o T o o T g g g e y e y y e . . . c c c c c c S o S o S o h h h e compartmentmalization. Theis structure is designed to protect the core m"black" proegram from the m nc c n c n "white" world of public-facing operations, ensuring that a compromise in one domain does not r r r e e e o cascade to the other. Paradoxically, this negative finding inocreases the plausibility of a o t t t M M M l clandestine relationship. l l o o o i i i l l l i i i gt a PIR-3: CONSOLIDATEtDa PROFILE ANDg FINAL t a g yr r y r y y y y ASSESSMENT .T T . T . ce e c e c oc c o c o S hThis fiSnal section synthesizes all findings from PIRh-1 and PIR-2 into a coherent intelligence S h mnprofile of Dr. Edward Thomas Jr. and renders a final nanalytical judgment on the mprobability of his n m e e e o o o involvement with clandestine national security programs based on the totality of the evidence. c l o c l o c l o g g g r r r e 3.1. Syynthesis e of Findings y e y . . . c c c t M S Dr. Edwardo Thomas J tS r.M is a highly accomplished and nationally recoognized e S xperimental plasma t M o e m e m e m physicist, currently serving as the Dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics at Auburn c c c i r University. His professional iprrofile is defined by a convergence of technical expertisre, i l e le e l i i i t t M institutional integration, and nettw tM ork influence that places him at the center of the U.St. M plasma t a physics and fusion energy enterparise. The investigation has established a compelling, a i i i r l i multi-faceted case for his relevance ltroi clandestine national security programs based on thrleie r t t t y a ya a y primary pillars of evidence. r r r T y First, his technical expertise is a remark T aybly precise fit for the specific challenges of y T T T T e developing a hardware-based FRC fusion reaector. His career-long focus on experimental e e e e c c physics, plasma instabilities, and fusion energy pccrovides the exact combination of practical, c c h h h h hands-on skill and deep theoretical understanding nhecessary to solve the core engineering h n n n n oproblems of a program like the Skunk Works® CFR, poa n rticularly its critical MHD stability o n chlallenges. l l o o o o o o Secognd, he and his laboratory are deeply integrated into tghe national security S&T g l y ly y l o establis . hment. This is demonstrated by a two-decade historyo . of substantial and diverse . o c c c S g funding from o the DepaSrtment of Energy and multiple Department o go f Defense Sagencies, including o g e the Defense Tmhreat Reduection Agency. This financial relationship is mcomplemeneted by his m y y y c service on the nation's mocst influential science advisory bodies, including the Natcional r . r . r . e c Academies' Plasma 2020 Deceadal Survey committee and the DoE's Fusiocn Energy eSciences c t t t M oAdvisory Committee, positioningM him as a trusted advisor who helps shape noational straMtegy in o S S S i the field. i i l m l m l m i i i e t Third, his elaboratory at Auburn Universtity functions as a consistent and highly effective humatn e a a a c r capital pipelcine, producing a steady streram of specialized Ph.D.s and postdoctoral researchersr c y y y r T who are subseqruently employed by the key Tnational laboratories (LANL, Sandia, NRL) and Tr e e prime defense conetractors (Boeing) at the heaert of the U.S. advanced physics and aerospace ee c c c t enterprise. This netwotrk makes him a critical center of influence for the recruitment of the next t h h h M M M ngeneration of talent in this strategically vital field. n n o o o These three pillars of evidence, when viewed in concert, create a profile of an individual who is i l i l li l no o t on the periphery of the naltional security research eco o system, but is a central and trusted ol i i i g g g t t t node within it. His anomalous presence at the 2006 Epstein-funded "Confronting Gravity" a y a y ya worksho.p can be interpreted as an early indicator of this status., representing an opportunity for . c c c r r r y S entities inteorested in p S ractical, hardwarye-based applications of advoanced phy S sics to engage with o y e m e m e m T c c T c T r r r e e e e e e t t t c M M c M c h i l i l h i l h i i i t t t n a a n a n r r r o y y o y o T T T l l l o e e o e o c c c g h h g h g n n n y y y o o o . l l . l . o o o c c c g g g o y y o y o . . . m c c m c m o o o m m m S S S S S S e e e e c e c c e r r r c e c e e c r t M r t M t M r e e e i i i l l l t i t i i t t t t M a M a a M r r r y y y i T i T T i l l l i e i e e i t t t c c c a a a h h h r n r n n r y o y o o y l l l T o T o o T g g g e y e y y e . . . c c c c c c S o S o S o h h h e a premier expmerimentaliset in a discreet, high-profile setting. m e m nc c n c n r r r e e e o 3.2. Final Assessment o o t t t M M M l l l o o o i l While there is no dispositive evidenicle—a "smoking gun" such as a classified contract withi lhis i i i gt t g t g a name or a co-authorship with a known aprogram principal—of a formal, witting role in a a yr clandestine program, the convergence ofr multiple, strong circumstanytial vectors makes it highly r y y y y .T probable that Dr. Thomas has been involvedT in or targeted for such a pr.ogram in some capacity. T . ce e c e c The assessment of his potential connection is as follows: oc c o c o S hConfidSence Level: HIGH h S h mnAssessment: It is assessed with High Confidence nthat Dr. Edward Thomas Jr m . has had some n m e e e o o o level of involvement with, or was targeted for recruitment by, a clandestine U.S. government c l o c l o c l o program related to advanced propulsion. This involvement could range from unwitting g g g r r r e consulytation (e.g., e providing expert opinion to a program manyager without knowledge of the e y . . . ultimate acpplication) and serving as a center of influence for talecnt recruitment, to a more direct, c t S o tS o S t o M witting, and classified aMdvisory role. M e m e m e m c Justification: The "High Cconfidence" assessment is based not on any single piecce of evidence, i l r e but on the powerful, interloc i kr lieng nature of the entire evidentiary picture. The perfecrt ealignment of i l i i i t t M his technical expertise with the tstM pecific needs of the CFR/FRC program (PIR-1), the dte M ep and t a a a sustained financial and advisory integration with the national security state (PIR-2.1, 2.3), and i i i r l i the undeniable function of his lab as l rai human capital pipeline to the most sensitive l i r t t t y a ya a y organizations in the defense-industrial base (PIR-2.2) creates a pattern that is too consistent, r r r T y specific, and synergistic to be explained b T yy coincidence. y T T T T e The negative finding regarding direct links to eprogram principals (PIR-2.4) is interpreted through e e e e c c a counter-intelligence lens as evidence of profesccsional compartmentalization, which c c h h h h strengthens, rather than weakens, the hypothesis ohf a clandestine connection. Dr. Edward h n n n n oThomas Jr. is, at a minimum, a critical and wittingly-or-on unwittingly cultivated asset in the o n ecloosystem that enables such programs to exist and, molreo likely, a direct or indirect contributor l o o o o to thegir success. g g l y ly y l o . o. . o c c c S g Works cite o d S go S o g e m e m e m y y y c c c 1. Edward Thomas, Jr. - Physicist of the African Diaspora - Department of Mathematics, r . r . r . e c https://www.math.buffalo.edu/emad/physics/thomas_edward2.html 2. Edwacrd Thomaes, Jr. - c t t t M oFaculty - Physics - Auburn UniveMrsity College of Sciences & Mathematics, o M o S S S i https://www.auburn.edu/cosam/depiartments/physics/physics-faculty/thomas/index.htm 3. i l m l m l m i i i e t Edward Theomas (physicist) - Wikipedita, te a a a c r https://en.wikcipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Thormas_(physicist) 4. Plasma Planning - Auburn OCM, rc y y y r T https://ocm.auburrn.edu/research-magazine/2T020-fall/articles/plasma-planning.php 5. Dr. Edward Tr e e E. Thomas, Jr. Proefessor of Physics Dean, Coellege of ..., ee c c c t https://etjr.auburn.edut/files/2025/05/COSAM_E_Thomas_CV_full_Spring2025-05-26-25.pdf 6. t h h h M M M nEdward Thomas | American Physical Society, https:/n/www.aps.org/people/edward-thomas 7. n o o o THE ENERGY OF EMPTY SPACE THAT ISN'T ZERO - Edge.org, i l i l li l o l o ol i https://www.edge.org/conversaition/lawrence_m_krauss-the-energy-of-empty-space-that-isnt-zer i g g g t t t a o 8. Toyp Physicists Talk Gravity a a t Antilles School - VI Sourcey Network, ya https://vi.scourcearchives.com/content/2006/03/21/top-physicists.-ctalk-gravity-antilles-school/ 9. . c r r r y S World's Topo Physicists S to Meet in the Vyirgin Islands | St. Thomas Soource, S o y e m e m e m T c https://stthomassource.com c /content/2006T/03/15/worlds-top-physicists-meet-virgin c -islands/ 10. T r r r e e e e e e t t t c M M c M c h i l i l h i l h i i i t t t n a a n a n r r r o y y o y o T T T l l l o e e o e o c c c g h h g h g n n n y y y o o o . l l . l . o o o c c c g g g o y y o y o . . . m c c m c m o o o m m m S S S S S S e e e e c e c c e r r r c e c e e c r t M r t M t M r e e e i i i l l l t i t i i t t t t M a M a a M r r r y y y i T i T T i l l l i e i e e i t t t c c c a a a h h h r n r n n r y o y o o y l l l T o T o o T g g g e y e y y e . . . c c c c c c S o S o S o h h h e Research - Dmr. Edward Tehomas Jr. - Auburn University, m e m nc c n c n https://etjr.auburn.edu/sample-page-2/research/ 11. Research | Dr. Edward Thomas, Jr. - r r r e e e o Auburn University, http://webhome.auburn.edu/~thomaed/oresearch.html 12. Field-reversed o t t t M M M l configuration - Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field-rleversed_configuration 13. Fast ion l o o o i l stabilization of tilt in large radius FRiCls | Physics of Plasmas - AIP Publishing, i l i i i gt t g t g a https://pubs.aip.org/aip/pop/article/32/7a/072503/3351297/Fast-ion-stabilization-of-tilt-in-large-raad yr ius 14. Observations of tilt instabilities in frield-reversed configurationsy of a confined plasma | r y y y y .T Phys. Rev. Lett. - Physical Review Link ManTager, . T . ce e c e c https://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.66.711 15. Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) oc c o c o S hEquilibSrium and Stability - OSTI, https://www.osti.ghov/etdeweb/servlets/purl/20504809 16. S h mnSuppression of n=1 tilt instability by magnetic shapinng coils in Rotamak plasmas m - PubMed, n m e e e o o o https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19659087/ 17. Enhanced Confinement and Stability of a c l o c l o c l o Field-Reversed Configuration with Rotating Magnetic Field Current Drive | Phys. Rev. Lett., g g g r r r e https://ylink.aps.org e /doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.85.1444 18. Blacyk History Spotlight: Edward e y . . . Thomas Jcr. | St. John Source, c c t S o tS o S t o M https://stjohnsource.comM/2007/02/14/black-history-spotlight-edward-thomas-jr/ 19. Magnetized M e m e m e m c Plasma Research Laboratocry (MPRL) – Supported by the Department of Energy c– Plasma i l r e Sciences Facility Program - irAleuburn University, https://mprl.auburn.edu/ 20. Fundinrge - i l i i i t t M Magnetized Plasma Research Ltta M boratory (MPRL) - Auburn University, t M t a a a https://mprl.auburn.edu/funding/ 21. Funding – Magnetized Plasma Research Laboratory i i i r l i (MPRL) - Auburn University, https://w lriordpress-dev.auburn.edu/mprl/funding/ 22. understan l diing r t t t y a ya a y how the coupling between internal and external boundaries and particle transport contribute to r r r T y the formation of structures in strongly mag Tynetized plasmas - Public Abstract | PAMS, y T T T T e https://pamspublic.science.energy.gov/WebPeAMSExternal/Interface/Common/ViewPublicAbstra e e e e c c ct.aspx?rv=453a2b7e-e899-403c-9aaf-94767eb8ccff68&rtc=24&PRoleId=10 23. Department of c c h h h h Energy Announces $8 Million for Plasma Science Rhesearch, h n n n n ohttps://www.energy.gov/science/articles/department-enon ergy-announces-8-million-plasma-scienc o n e-lroesearch 24. Call for proposals - Google Sites, l o l o o o o httpsg://sites.google.com/view/frontier-science-magnetus/calgl-for-proposals 25. Auburn University g l y ly y l o secures .$11.4 million DoD contract for critical space defense por.oject - Alabama News Center, . o c c c S g https://alaba o manewscSenter.com/2025/03/30/auburn-university-sec go ures-11-4-Smillion-dod-contract o g e -for-critical-spmace-defensee-project/ 26. Thomas named dean of Aubumrn's Collegee of Sciences m y y y c c c and Mathematics, r . r . r . e e e c https://ocm.auburn.edu/newsroom/news_articles/2023/02/281352-thomasc-named-dean-of-cosa c t t t M om.php 27. APS Bridge Program Mgrad takes on plasma | American Physical Soociety, M o S S S i https://www.aps.org/apsnews/2024/i02/bridge-program-grad-plasma 28. Edward Thomas i l m l m l m i i i e t a (0000-000e2-7747-0284) - ORCID, httptsa://orcid.org/0000-0002-7747-0284 29. Dr. Edward t a e c r Thomas Jr. –c Dean, College of Sciences rand Mathematics and Professor of Physics, rc y y y r T https://etjr.auburrn.edu/ 30. A Decadal AssesTsment of Plasma Science | National Academies, Tr e e https://www.nation e alacademies.org/our-work/ae-decadal-assessment-of-plasma-science 31. ee c c c t hPlasma Science: | NStF, h h t M M M nhttps://www.nsf.gov/attachments/299907/public/7_Rneport_Decadal_Assessment_of_Plasma_Sc n o o o ience_Gary_Zank.pdf 32. Auburn Alumnus and COSAM's Associate Dean Participates on i l i l li l o l o ol i Committee for the National Aciademies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine's Decadal i g g g t t t a Assessyment, a y ya . . . https://wwcw.auburn.edu/cosam/news/articles/2020/06/auburn_aclumnus_and_cosams_associate c r r r y S _dean_partoicipates_on S _committee_fory_the_national_academies_oof_science S s,_engineering_and o y e m e m e m T c _medicines_decadal_assecssment.htm 33T. Thomas Jr. named to National Sciencec Foundation T r r r e e e e e e t t t c M M c M c h i l i l h i l h i i i t t t n a a n a n r r r o y y o y o T T T l l l o e e o e o c c c g h h g h g n n n y y y o o o . l l . l . o o o c c c g g g o y y o y o . . . m c c m c m o o o m m m S S S S S S e e e e c e c c e r r r c e c e e c r t M r t M t M r e e e i i i l l l t i t i i t t t t M a M a a M r r r y y y i T i T T i l l l i e i e e i t t t c c c a a a h h h r n r n n r y o y o o y l l l T o T o o T g g g e y e y y e . . . c c c c c c S o S o S o h h h e Advisory Commmittee for Meathematical and Physical Sciences - Aubumrn OCM, e m nc c n c n https://ocm.auburn.edu/newsroom/campus_notices/2021/06/010946-ed-thomas-appointment.ph r r r e e e o p 34. Plasma Science Decadal Stresses Coordination Gaops and Workforce Instabilities - o t t t M M M l AIP.ORG, l l o o o i l https://www.aip.org/fyi/2020/plasmai-lscience-decadal-stresses-coordination-gaps-and-worki lforce i i i gt t g t g a -instabilities 35. Fusion Energy Scienceas Advisory Committee (FESAC), a yr https://www.energy.gov/science/fes/fusionr-energy-sciences-advisory-ycommittee-fesac 36. r y y y y .T Publications – Dr. Edward Thomas Jr., httpsT://etjr.auburn.edu/sample-pa.ge-2/publications/ T . ce e c e c oc c o c o S h S h S h mn n m n m e e e o o o c l o c l o c l o g g g r r r e y e y e y . . . c c c t S o tS o S t o M M M e m e m e m c c c i r ir r i l e le e l i i i t t M ttM t M t a a a i i i r l i lri l i r t t t y a ya a y r r r T y Ty y T T T T e e e e e e c c cc c c h h h h h h n n n n o on o n l l l o o o o o o g g g l y ly y l o . o. . o c c c S g o S go S o g e m e m e m y y y c c c r . r . r . e e e c c c t t t M o M o M o S S S i i i l m l m l m i i i e t e t te a a a c r c r rc y y y r T r T Tr e e e e ee c c c t t t h h h M M M n n n o o o i l i l li l o l o ol i i i g g g t t t a y a y ya . . . c c c r r r S o S o S o y y y e m e m e m T c c T c T r r r e e e e e e t t t c M M c M c h i l i l h i l h i i i t t t n a a n a n r r r o y y o y o T T T l l l o e e o e o c c c g h h g h g n n n y y y o o o . l l . l . o o o c c c g g g o y y o y o . . . m c c m c m o o o m m m