diu-napp
PROGRAM dossier

DIU NAPP

DIU NAPP

PROGRAM Programs Also: NAPP, DIU NAPP, Nuclear Advanced Propulsion and Power

01 Executive_Summary

The Nuclear Advanced Propulsion and Power (NAPP) program at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) — the DoD's first nuclear fusion program. Started by Maj. Ryan Weed (USAF). Announced May 17, 2022. Awarded two Prototype Other Transaction (OT) contracts: (1) Ultra Safe Nuclear — EmberCore radioisotope battery, 'soccer ball-size,' for small spacecraft maneuvering in cislunar space. (2) Avalanche Energy — Orbitron compact fusion device, 'lunchbox-size,' using electrostatic fields to trap fusion ions with magnetron electron confinement. Goal: orbital prototype demonstration in 2027. Weed: 'Advanced nuclear technologies will provide the speed, power, and responsiveness to maintain an operational advantage in space.' 'Chemical and solar-based systems won't provide the power needed.' NAPP targets 'small spacecraft that allow them to maneuver at-will in cislunar space and enable high-power payloads.'

03 Deep_Dive_Intelligence

Overview

The Nuclear Advanced Propulsion and Power (NAPP) program at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) — the DoD's first nuclear fusion program. Started by Maj. Ryan Weed (USAF). Announced May 17, 2022. Awarded two Prototype Other Transaction (OT) contracts: (1) Ultra Safe Nuclear — EmberCore radioisotope battery, 'soccer ball-size,' for small spacecraft maneuvering in cislunar space. (2) Avalanche Energy — Orbitron compact fusion device, 'lunchbox-size,' using electrostatic fields to trap fusion ions with magnetron electron confinement. Goal: orbital prototype demonstration in 2027. Weed: 'Advanced nuclear technologies will provide the speed, power, and responsiveness to maintain an operational advantage in space.' 'Chemical and solar-based systems won't provide the power needed.' NAPP targets 'small spacecraft that allow them to maneuver at-will in cislunar space and enable high-power payloads.'

Entity Type: Program — DIU NAPP is a government or defense program/initiative.

Network Relationships

DIU NAPP connects to 3 entities in the intelligence network:

Organisations (2):

Persons (1):

Source Documents

Intelligence derived from 5 source documents:

  • DIU — 'Launching Next-Generation Nuclear Propulsion and Power' (May 17, 2022)
  • C4ISRNET — 'DIU picks designs for space nuclear propulsion demo' (May 18, 2022)
  • GeekWire — 'Pentagon boosts ventures working on space nuclear power' (2022)
  • IEEE Spectrum — 'Pentagon Aims to Demo a Nuclear Spacecraft Within 5 Years'
  • DIU FY22 Year-in-Review

05 Related_Entities (3)

Ryan Weed
person ←
Started DoD's first fusion program (NAPP) at DIU
Avalanche Energy
organisation →
NAPP funded Avalanche Orbitron compact fusion
Avalanche Orbitron
organisation ←
NAPP funded Avalanche Orbitron — DoD's first fusion program

05b Related_Topics (2)

Compact Fusion Reactor
usa → china → israel →
Plasma Propulsion
usa → russia → china → japan →

07 Key_Findings

  • ▸ Entity Type: Program — DIU NAPP is a government or defense program/initiative.
  • ▸ → Avalanche Energy: NAPP funded Avalanche Orbitron compact fusion
  • ▸ ← Avalanche Orbitron: NAPP funded Avalanche Orbitron — DoD's first fusion program
  • ▸ ← Ryan Weed: Started DoD's first fusion program (NAPP) at DIU
  • ▸ DIU — 'Launching Next-Generation Nuclear Propulsion and Power' (May 17, 2022)

09 Timeline_Mentions (10)

1995

Bigelow founds NIDS (1995): 17-person science board with DOE, Navy nuclear, Apollo astronauts — 30-year UAP infrastructure begins

First professional UAP research institute. 17 experts (DOE, Navy nuclear, Apollo astronauts). 9 years funded. Skinwalker Ranch (1996). Foundation of modern UAP research network.

uap-research
1995

Bigelow founds NIDS + buys Skinwalker (1995-96): hotel billionaire creates private UAP research foundation, seeds AAWSAP

Budget Suites billionaire. NIDS (1995). Skinwalker Ranch $200K (1996). Bigelow Aerospace (1999). Genesis I/II. BEAM on ISS. 'Real estate to fund space.' NIDS → BAASS → AAWSAP pipeline.

uap-research
2008

Reid secures $22M for AAWSAP (July 2008): originally to SCIF-out Bigelow for classified materials, confirms Lockheed Martin

Senate Majority Leader + Inouye + Stevens. $22M for SCIF at Bigelow to receive classified UAP materials. Reid confirms Lockheed. SAP requests blocked twice. Opposition from existing programs.

uap-research
2008

AAWSAP/BAASS (2008-2010): $22M DIA program, 50 scientists, Skinwalker 'living lab,' 100+ reports — largest US UFO investigation

$22M DIA program. BAASS contractor. 50 scientists. 100+ reports. Skinwalker Ranch living lab. All 5 DIA personnel experienced anomalies. Harry Reid funded. Lacatski + Stratton + Kelleher architects.

uap-research
2008

GAO Report on LANL Security Weaknesses

The GAO identified significant security problems at LANL, including unapproved storage of classified parts and ineffective corrective action processes.

historical-context
2022

DIU launches NAPP — DoD's first nuclear fusion program

Avalanche Energy Orbitron 'lunchbox-size' fusion. Ultra Safe Nuclear EmberCore. Orbital demo 2027.

defense-programs
2023

Loeb IM1 expedition (June 2023): BeLaU spherules 'never reported before' — first recovery of potential interstellar material

Harvard expedition. ~850 spherules. BeLaU composition never reported before. 1000x above solar system. 4x stronger than iron meteorites. 'Voyager-type meteor?' $1.5M Hoskinson grant.

uap-research
2023

July 26, 2023 House hearing (complete): Graves + Grusch + Fravor — Corbell UAP Puzzle, Knapp statement, DIA DIRD entered into record

Watershed UAP hearing. Three witnesses (pilot + intelligence + encounter). Corbell UAP Puzzle + Knapp statement + DIA DIRD vacuum engineering in record. Fravor: no oversight. Led to Disclosure Act.

uap-research
2024

AFRL funds Aerofuse fusion-augmented turbofan — Ryan Weed connects DoD fusion to aviation

DIU NAPP founder → Aerofuse → AFRL SBIR. Avalanche Energy MOU. Boeing, Airbus, FedEx support.

defense-programs
2024

Fox releases 'The Program' (Dec 2024): Grusch 'terrified for his life,' crash retrieval 'deliberately in subcontractor hands,' Eminent Domain = 'Ruby Ridge'

Documentary record of disclosure. Grusch feared for life. Crash retrieval in subcontractor hands = oversight evasion. Eminent Domain standoff predicted. 'Disclosure is upon us.'

uap-research
View Full Timeline → View on Network Graph →

10 FAQ

What is DIU NAPP? ▾
The Nuclear Advanced Propulsion and Power (NAPP) program at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) — the DoD's first nuclear fusion program. Started by Maj. Ryan Weed (USAF). Announced May 17, 2022. Awarded two Prototype Other Transaction (OT) contracts: (1) Ultra Safe Nuclear — EmberCore radioisotope battery, 'soccer ball-size,' for small spacecraft maneuvering in cislunar space. (2) Avalanche...
What role does DIU NAPP play in the research network? ▾
DIU NAPP is classified under the "Programs" category. The Nuclear Advanced Propulsion and Power (NAPP) program at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) — the DoD's first nuclear fusion program. Started by Maj. Ryan Weed (USAF). Announced May 17, 2022....
What evidence supports the DIU NAPP assessment? ▾
The intelligence assessment for DIU NAPP is supported by 2 primary sources. Key sources include "Powering the Future of Space Exploration: DIU Launching Next Generation Nuclear Propulsion — DIU Official" and "Defense Innovation Unit Picks Designs for Space Nuclear Propulsion Demo — C4ISRNET". These documents provide the evidentiary basis for the analysis.
How does DIU NAPP connect to other entities in the network? ▾
DIU NAPP is connected to 3 entities in the intelligence network, including Ryan Weed (person), Avalanche Energy (organisation), and Avalanche Orbitron (organisation). Key relationships: Ryan Weed: Started DoD's first fusion program (NAPP) at DIU, Avalanche Energy: NAPP funded Avalanche Orbitron compact fusion, ; Avalanche Orbitron: NAPP funded Avalanche Orbitron — DoD's first fusion program.
What is the DIU NAPP program? ▾
The Nuclear Advanced Propulsion and Power (NAPP) program at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) — the DoD's first nuclear fusion program. Started by Maj. Ryan Weed (USAF). Announced May 17, 2022. Awarded two Prototype Other Transaction (OT) contracts: (1) Ultra Safe Nuclear — EmberCore radioisotope battery, 'soccer ball-size,' for small...
What organizations are involved in DIU NAPP? ▾
DIU NAPP involves 2 organizations: Avalanche Energy (NAPP funded Avalanche Orbitron compact fusion) and Avalanche Orbitron (NAPP funded Avalanche Orbitron — DoD's first fusion program).
What are the alternative names or aliases for DIU NAPP? ▾
DIU NAPP is also known as: NAPP, DIU NAPP, and Nuclear Advanced Propulsion and Power. These alternative names appear across different source documents and may reflect codenames, abbreviations, or historical references.
What external sources document DIU NAPP? ▾
DIU NAPP is documented by 2 external sources, including 1 press release and 1 news article. Notable references include "Powering the Future of Space Exploration: DIU Launching Next Generation Nuclear Propulsion — DIU Official" and "Defense Innovation Unit Picks Designs for Space Nuclear Propulsion Demo — C4ISRNET".
What is the historical timeline for DIU NAPP? ▾
DIU NAPP is referenced across documents spanning 2022–2027, with activity noted in 2022 and 2027. This temporal range is derived from the primary source documents in the research archive.
What documents should I read to learn more about DIU NAPP? ▾
To learn more about DIU NAPP, review the 2 primary sources, and related research finding linked in the source documents section of this dossier.

Source_Documents 5 FILES

DIU — 'Launching Next-Generation Nuclear Propulsion and Power' (May 17, 2022)
PDF Archive →
C4ISRNET — 'DIU picks designs for space nuclear propulsion demo' (May 18, 2022)
PDF Archive →
GeekWire — 'Pentagon boosts ventures working on space nuclear power' (2022)
PDF Archive →
IEEE Spectrum — 'Pentagon Aims to Demo a Nuclear Spacecraft Within 5 Years'
PDF Archive →
DIU FY22 Year-in-Review
PDF Archive →

External_References 5 REFS

DIU — 'Launching Next-Generation Nuclear Propulsion and Power' (May 17, 2022) ref
C4ISRNET — 'DIU picks designs for space nuclear propulsion demo' (May 18, 2022) ref
GeekWire — 'Pentagon boosts ventures working on space nuclear power' (2022) ref
IEEE Spectrum — 'Pentagon Aims to Demo a Nuclear Spacecraft Within 5 Years' ref
DIU FY22 Year-in-Review ref

Verified_Primary_Sources 2 SOURCES

primary diu.mil press_release
Powering the Future of Space Exploration: DIU Launching Next Generation Nuclear Propulsion — DIU Official
Verifies: DIU announced Next Generation Nuclear Propulsion (NAPP) program; Selected companies for prototype contracts; Compact fusion and radioisotope approaches for spacecraft propulsion; 2027 demonstration objective
External Link ↗
secondary c4isrnet.com news_article
Defense Innovation Unit Picks Designs for Space Nuclear Propulsion Demo — C4ISRNET
Verifies: DIU selected two companies for nuclear propulsion prototype; Ultra Safe Nuclear and another company chosen; Prototype demonstration objectives and timeline
External Link ↗
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ID: diu-napp
Type: program
Region: main
Last updated: Research database snapshot