DIU NAPP
The Nuclear Advanced Propulsion and Power (NAPP) program at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) — the DoD's first nuclear fusion program.
01 Definition
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) contract...
02 Detailed_Analysis
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) contract... 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 sys...
03 Key_Facts
- ▸ → 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)
- ▸ C4ISRNET — 'DIU picks designs for space nuclear propulsion demo' (May 18, 2022)
04 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):
- → Avalanche Energy: NAPP funded Avalanche Orbitron compact fusion
- ← Avalanche Orbitron: NAPP funded Avalanche Orbitron — DoD's first fusion program
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
07 Related_Entities (4)
08 Timeline_Mentions (9)
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-researchGAO 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-contextDIU launches NAPP — DoD's first nuclear fusion program
Avalanche Energy Orbitron 'lunchbox-size' fusion. Ultra Safe Nuclear EmberCore. Orbital demo 2027.
defense-programsJuly 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-researchAFRL 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-programsCorbell/Knapp Lacatski interview (2024): 'at least one craft,' 'breached hull,' 'AARO disinformation,' 'Kona Blue alive,' 'hitchhikers'
Weaponized podcast. Lacatski Parts 1+2. 'At least one craft' (authorized). 'Breached hull.' 'AARO disinformation.' 'Kona Blue alive.' 'Counterintelligence ops.' 'Hitchhikers.' 'Tic Tac one of ours?' C
uap-researchAvalanche Energy Orbitron achieves 300,000 volts in desktop fusion device
4.7 MV/m steady-state. 'Exceeding even lightning.' 3 watts power. DIU NAPP funded. Desktop size.
defense-programsKnapp testifies under oath (Sept 2025): Bigelow authorized him to reveal Lockheed-BAASS 'unusual materials' transfer negotiation
Lockheed negotiated to transfer unusual materials to BAASS (DIA's AAWSAP contractor). Mid-2000s. Bigelow authorized Knapp to tell Congress. Second Lockheed-UAP materials link.
uap-researchSeptember 2025 House hearing: first active-duty Navy witness, 'flying buildings' at Vandenberg, Langley retaliation, Eglin AFB cover-up
Task Force on Declassification hearing. First active-duty Navy witness (Wiggins). 'Flying buildings' Vandenberg (Nuccetelli). Langley retaliation (Borland). Eglin cover-up (Luna). Knapp paper trail.
uap-research09 FAQ
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Quick_Facts
- Category
- Programs
- Aliases
- DIU NAPP, diu-napp, NAPP, Nuclear Advanced Propulsion and Power
- Sources
- 7
- Graph Entities
- 4
- Timeline Events
- 9