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CFRT4T8Path

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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
→ T4-T8 development path. T4 results 2-3 orders of magnitude below fusion. T5 = high Beta demonstration
Dossier Main Graph

McGuire2026Status

ASSESSMENT
→ McGuire's continued employment suggests T5 physics was promising, not a dead end
Dossier Main Graph

eos-atomics

ORGANISATION
→ CFR used neutral beam heating (T6+). Eos Atomics now builds NBI — the CFR's heating technology
Dossier Main Graph

EosNBIEcosystem

PROGRAM
← CFR T6+ required neutral beam heating. Eos is building exactly this technology for FRCs.
Dossier Main Graph

CFRTeamAtLockheed

PROGRAM
← T4B results (2019): 55% plasma loss reduction, neutral beam heating. Team continued this work after 'cancellation.'
Dossier Main Graph

OrbWeaponDef

CONCEPT
← 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.
Dossier Main Graph

PaisPatents2

PERSON
← 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).
Dossier Main Graph

Network Graph

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Research References

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is CFRT4T8Path? ▾
### 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 acquis
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.

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