glossary:compact-fusion-reactor-cfr
CONCEPT dossier

Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR)

Glossary term: Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR)

CONCEPT Propulsion

01 Executive_Summary

A compact, high-power-density fusion reactor concept based on FRC technology, developed at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The CFR is designed to be small enough for mobile military platforms (aircraft, ships, submarines). Publicly revealed by Charles Chase in 2014.

02 Definition

A compact, high-power-density fusion reactor concept based on FRC technology, developed at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The CFR is designed to be small enough for mobile military platforms (aircraft, ships, submarines). Publicly revealed by Charles Chase in 2014.

Related terms: FRC Skunk Works Charles Chase Black Track

03 Deep_Dive_Intelligence

Overview

A compact, high-power-density fusion reactor concept based on FRC technology, developed at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The CFR is designed to be small enough for mobile military platforms (aircraft, ships, submarines). Publicly revealed by Charles Chase in 2014.

Role: Glossary term: Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR)

Entity Type: Concept — Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) is a technical concept or theoretical framework.

Technical Definition

A compact, high-power-density fusion reactor concept based on FRC technology, developed at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The CFR is designed to be small enough for mobile military platforms (aircraft, ships, submarines). Publicly revealed by Charles Chase in 2014.

Related Concepts: FRC, Skunk Works, Charles Chase, Black Track

05b Related_Topics (3)

Field-Reversed Configuration
usa → russia → china → japan → israel →
Compact Fusion Reactor
usa → china → israel →
Plasma Propulsion
usa → russia → china → japan →

07 Key_Findings

  • ▸ Role: Glossary term: Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR)
  • ▸ Entity Type: Concept — Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) is a technical concept or theoretical framework.
  • ▸ Related Concepts: FRC, Skunk Works, Charles Chase, Black Track

09 Timeline_Mentions (10)

1983

LANL adiabatic compression of FRCs

Foundational paper on compressive heating of FRC plasmas, later inherited by the CFR program.

fusion-research
2000s

U.S. Compact Fusion Aerospace Program Initiated

A highly classified U.S. program begins development of a revolutionary aerospace platform powered by a Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) based on FRC physics.

defense-programs
2010

Lockheed Skunk Works CFR program begins internally

Tom McGuire and Charles Chase begin CFR development at Skunk Works. FRC-based high-beta concept.

defense-programs
2010

Lockheed Martin CFR Program Commencement

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® officially begins its Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) program, led by Thomas McGuire.

defense-programs
2014

Charles Chase reveals Skunk Works CFR

Public reveal of the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Compact Fusion Reactor concept.

defense-programs
2014

Lockheed CFR Patent Filing

Lockheed Martin files foundational patents for its Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR).

fusion-physics
2014

Lockheed Martin Files CFR Patents

Lockheed Martin files foundational patents for the Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) program under Thomas McGuire.

defense-programs
2014

Skunk Works CFR Announcement

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works publicly announces its Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) program, correlating with the wind-down of public FRCHX activity.

defense-programs
2014

Project Quiet Exodus / MH370 Operation

Hypothesized covert operation to neutralize a Freescale Semiconductor team to prevent the compromise of Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) technology.

defense-programs
2019

Skunk Works announces T5 reactor construction

T5 significantly larger than T4B. Last public APS presentation before cancellation. McGuire presents overview.

defense-programs
View Full Timeline → View on Network Graph →

10 FAQ

What is Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR)? ▾
A compact, high-power-density fusion reactor concept based on FRC technology, developed at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The CFR is designed to be small enough for mobile military platforms (aircraft, ships, submarines). Publicly revealed by Charles Chase in 2014.
What role does Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) play in the research network? ▾
Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) is classified under the "Propulsion" category, serving as Glossary term: Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR). A compact, high-power-density fusion reactor concept based on FRC technology, developed at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The CFR is designed to be small enough for mobile military platforms...
What evidence supports the Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) assessment? ▾
The intelligence assessment for Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) is supported by 3 primary sources. Key sources include "Lockheed Martin Pursuing Compact Nuclear Fusion Reactor Concept", "Lockheed Martin is building a compact nuclear fusion reactor - The Washington Post", and "Lockheed Martin looking for compact fusion reactor partners - Physics Today". These documents provide the evidentiary basis for the analysis.
What is the technical definition of Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR)? ▾
A compact, high-power-density fusion reactor concept based on FRC technology, developed at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The CFR is designed to be small enough for mobile military platforms (aircraft, ships, submarines). Publicly revealed by Charles Chase in 2014. Related Concepts: FRC, Skunk Works, Charles Chase, Black Track
What is the physics behind Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR)? ▾
A compact, high-power-density fusion reactor concept based on FRC technology, developed at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The CFR is designed to be small enough for mobile military platforms (aircraft, ships, submarines). Publicly revealed by Charles Chase in 2014. Role: Glossary term: Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) Entity Type: Concept — Compact...
What external sources document Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR)? ▾
Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) is documented by 3 external sources, including 1 Press Release and 2 News Article. Notable references include "Lockheed Martin Pursuing Compact Nuclear Fusion Reactor Concept", "Lockheed Martin is building a compact nuclear fusion reactor - The Washington Post", and "Lockheed Martin looking for compact fusion reactor partners - Physics Today".
Why is Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) considered classified or significant? ▾
A compact, high-power-density fusion reactor concept based on FRC technology, developed at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The CFR is designed to be small enough for mobile military platforms (aircraft, ships, submarines). Publicly revealed by Charles Chase in 2014.
What is the current status of Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR)? ▾
A compact, high-power-density fusion reactor concept based on FRC technology, developed at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The CFR is designed to be small enough for mobile military platforms (aircraft, ships, submarines). Publicly revealed by...
How does Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) relate to compact fusion research? ▾
Overview A compact, high-power-density fusion reactor concept based on FRC technology, developed at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The CFR is designed to be small enough for mobile military platforms (aircraft, ships, submarines). Publicly revealed by Charles Chase in 2014. Role: Glossary term:...
What documents should I read to learn more about Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR)? ▾
To learn more about Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR), review the 3 primary sources, and related research finding linked in the source documents section of this dossier.

External_References 5 REFS

/pdfs/2020INFUSE_Workshop_LANL_Wurden.pdf#page=4 ref
/pdfs/2020INFUSE_Workshop_LANL_Wurden.pdf#page=5 ref
/pdfs/6.5_T.Matsumoto_CT2016.pdf#page=1 ref
/pdfs/6.5_T.Matsumoto_CT2016.pdf#page=4 ref
/pdfs/6.5_T.Matsumoto_CT2016.pdf#page=5 ref

Glossary_Sources

→ 2020INFUSE_Workshop_LANL_Wurden.pdf → 2020INFUSE_Workshop_LANL_Wurden.pdf → 6.5_T.Matsumoto_CT2016.pdf → 6.5_T.Matsumoto_CT2016.pdf → 6.5_T.Matsumoto_CT2016.pdf

External_Primary_Sources 6

patent
US Patent 9,947,420 B2 — Magnetic field plasma confinement for compact fusion power
patent
US Patent 9,959,942 — Compact fusion reactor
patent
US Patent 9,502,202 B2 — Compact cylindrical plasma fusion reactor with coherent beam emission
news 2023-08-30
Skunk Works Halted Nuclear Fusion Effort Before 2021 — Aviation Week
Steve Trimble
reference
Lockheed Martin Compact Fusion Reactor — Wikipedia
corporate
Compact Fusion — Lockheed Martin

Verified_Primary_Sources 3 SOURCES

primary lockheedmartin.com Press Release
Lockheed Martin Pursuing Compact Nuclear Fusion Reactor Concept
Verifies: Lockheed Martin Skunk Works developing compact fusion reactor (CFR); Publicly revealed October 15, 2014; Tom McGuire is compact fusion lead for Skunk Works Revolutionary Technology Programs; CFR offers 90 percent size reduction over previous concepts
External Link ↗
secondary washingtonpost.com News Article
Lockheed Martin is building a compact nuclear fusion reactor - The Washington Post
Verifies: Lockheed Martin announced compact fusion reactor in October 2014; Reactor designed to be small enough to fit on a truck; Tom McGuire is compact-fusion lead for Skunk Works
External Link ↗
secondary physicstoday.aip.org News Article
Lockheed Martin looking for compact fusion reactor partners - Physics Today
Verifies: Tom McGuire is project leader for compact fusion reactor; Company worked on project for four years before public reveal; Test device sustained stable plasma on more than 200 runs
External Link ↗
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ID: glossary:compact-fusion-reactor-cfr
Type: concept
Region: glossary
Last updated: Research database snapshot