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CFRT4T8Path
Summary
The CFR T4-T8 Development Path represents the staged technology maturation roadmap for the Lockheed Martin Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) program, progressing from Technology Readiness Level 4 (T4: laboratory validation) through T8 (operational deployment). Each stage addresses specific physics and engineering challenges in the transition from laboratory FRC experiments to a fielded 100MW compact reactor.
Intelligence Analysis
CFR T4-T8 Path
Purpose: CFR T4-T8 development path — Skunk Works roadmap Category: Program Assessment This node tracks the status and trajectory of CFR T4-T8 Path as a defense program element. It links to 7 related entities, mapping the program's position within the classified acquisition ecosystem.
Key Relationships
- ← Pais Patents (assessment): Pais PCFD (2018, abandoned) = Navy plasma compression fusion. CFR (Lockheed, 'cancelled' 2020) = compact fusion reactor. Both abandoned/cancelled same period. Both transitioned to classified. Same technology, different services (Navy vs AF/Lockheed).
- ← Orb Weapon Def. (assessment): Orb weapon and CFR share same FRC physics. CFR = energy path (cusp confinement + NBI). Orb weapon = weapons path (acceleration + projection). Same plasma, different application. Dual-use.
- ← CFR Team at Lockheed (assessment): T4B results (2019): 55% plasma loss reduction, neutral beam heating. Team continued this work after 'cancellation.'
- → Skunk Works® CFR Program (event): T4-T8 development path. T4 results 2-3 orders of magnitude below fusion. T5 = high Beta demonstration
- → Eos Atomics (organisation): CFR used neutral beam heating (T6+). Eos Atomics now builds NBI — the CFR's heating technology
- ← Eos NBI Ecosystem (assessment): CFR T6+ required neutral beam heating. Eos is building exactly this technology for FRCs.
Plus 1 additional connections.
Key Findings
- ▸ Purpose: CFR T4-T8 development path — Skunk Works roadmap
- ▸ ← Pais Patents (assessment): Pais PCFD (2018, abandoned) = Navy plasma compression fusion. CFR (Lockheed, 'cancelled' 2020) = compact fusion reactor. Both abandoned/cancelled same period. Both transitioned to classified. Same technology, different services (Navy vs AF/Lockheed).
- ▸ ← Orb Weapon Def. (assessment): Orb weapon and CFR share same FRC physics. CFR = energy path (cusp confinement + NBI). Orb weapon = weapons path (acceleration + projection). Same plasma, different application. Dual-use.
- ▸ ← CFR Team at Lockheed (assessment): T4B results (2019): 55% plasma loss reduction, neutral beam heating. Team continued this work after 'cancellation.'
- ▸ → Skunk Works® CFR Program (event): T4-T8 development path. T4 results 2-3 orders of magnitude below fusion. T5 = high Beta demonstration
Network Linkage
Connected to 7 entities (5 assessments, 1 event, 1 organisation). Primary links: Pais Patents, Orb Weapon Def., CFR Team at Lockheed, Skunk Works® CFR Program, Eos Atomics.
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
Related Entities (7)
Skunk Works® CFR Program
EVENT
Dossier
Main Graph
McGuire2026Status
ASSESSMENT
Dossier
Main Graph
eos-atomics
ORGANISATION
Dossier
Main Graph
EosNBIEcosystem
PROGRAM
Dossier
Main Graph
CFRTeamAtLockheed
PROGRAM
Dossier
Main Graph
OrbWeaponDef
CONCEPT
Dossier
Main Graph
PaisPatents2
PERSON
Dossier
Main Graph
Network Graph
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What is CFRT4T8Path? ▾
The CFR T4-T8 Development Path represents the staged technology maturation roadmap for the Lockheed Martin Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) program, progressing from Technology Readiness Level 4 (T4: laboratory validation) through T8 (operational deployment). Each stage addresses specific physics and engineering challenges in the transition from laboratory FRC experiments to a fielded 100MW compact reactor.
What is CFRT4T8Path connected to? ▾
CFRT4T8Path is directly connected to 7 entities in the network graph, including Skunk Works® CFR Program, McGuire2026Status, eos-atomics. These connections represent documented relationships such as T4-T8 development path. T4 results 2-3 orders of magnitude below fusion. T5 = high Beta demonstration, McGuire's continued employment suggests T5 physics was promising, not a dead end, CFR used neutral beam heating (T6+). Eos Atomics now builds NBI — the CFR's heating technology. Explore the full network using the interactive graph for complete relationship mapping.
Where can I find more details about CFRT4T8Path? ▾
A full intelligence dossier is available for CFRT4T8Path, including 0 source documents, deep-dive analysis, and network linkage assessment. Visit the dossier page for the complete profile.
How does CFRT4T8Path fit into the broader network? ▾
Connected to 7 entities (5 assessments, 1 event, 1 organisation). Primary links: Pais Patents, Orb Weapon Def., CFR Team at Lockheed, Skunk Works® CFR Program, Eos Atomics.