Franklin B. Mead, Jr.
Dr. Mead is the program manager who sustained the Air Force's plasma orb research for over 30 years. The same project number (JON 48470159) funded force-free plasmoid theory, ball lightning generation experiments, teleportation physics, and explicit plasmoid weapons studies.
01 Definition
Senior scientist at AFRL/PRSP (Propulsion Directorate, Edwards AFB) who managed a continuous 30+ year advanced propulsion and plasma research program from 1972 through at least 2007.
02 Detailed_Analysis
Dr. Mead managed the AFRL/PRSP advanced propulsion program (JON 48470159) that funded: Nachamkin's force-free plasmoid model (1992), Davis's Ball Lightning Study (2003), Davis's Teleportation Physics Study (2004), Davis's Advanced Propulsion Study (2004), and the Knecht/Mead DPF paper listing 'pulsed-train plasmoid weapons' (2006). He also co-managed the Lightcraft laser propulsion program with Dr. Leik Myrabo (1996-2001) and edited the 1972 'Advanced Propulsion Concepts' report.
03 Key_Facts
- ▸ 34-year career at AFRL/Edwards AFB (1972-2007)
- ▸ Managed JON 48470159 — the plasma orb research project
- ▸ Funded Nachamkin, Davis, Knecht plasmoid research
- ▸ Co-managed Lightcraft laser propulsion program
- ▸ Same project number across all plasma orb studies
04 Deep_Dive_Intelligence
Dr. Franklin B. Mead, Jr. had a 34-year career at AFRL and its predecessor laboratories at Edwards AFB. In 1972, he edited 'Advanced Propulsion Concepts - Project Outgrowth' (AFRPL-TR-72-31) at the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory. In 1990, he was project manager for a DPF fusion propulsion study at Phillips Laboratory. In 1992, he managed Nachamkin's force-free time-harmonic plasmoid model (PL-TR-92-3044) under contract F04611-88-C-0020. From 1996-2001, he co-managed the Lightcraft Technology Demonstrator program with Dr. Leik Myrabo of RPI, demonstrating laser propulsion at the High Energy Laser System Test Facility. In 2003, he was Principal Investigator/Project Manager for the Davis Ball Lightning Study (AFRL-PR-ED-TR-2002-0039, JON 48470159). In 2004, he managed the Davis Teleportation Physics Study (AFRL-PR-ED-TR-2003-0034) and the Davis Advanced Propulsion Study (AFRL-PR-ED-TR-2004-0024), both under contract F04611-99-C-0025. In 2006, he co-authored the Knecht/Mead DPF paper (AFRL-PR-ED-TP-2005-359) that explicitly lists 'pulsed-train plasmoid weapons' and 'gravity devices' as military applications. In 2007, he co-authored the Davis/Mead Laser Lightcraft review (AFRL-PR-ED-TP-2007-470). The same project number (JON 48470159) and the same AFRL office (PRSP, Edwards AFB) funded all of the plasma orb research.
06 Related_Terms (1)
07 Related_Entities (12)
08 Timeline_Mentions (10)
Vallée develops Control System Theory (1970s): UAP as meta-system of communication, not just 'visitors from another star'
Most influential UAP theoretical framework. Control system for human consciousness. Meta-system of communication. Adapts to culture. Open or closed? Six-layer model with Davis.
uap-researchReagan launches SDI — Shiva Star re-directed to 'Star Wars'
SDI directed energy: x-ray laser, FEL, NPB, Brilliant Pebbles. Shiva Star → MARAUDER precursor.
defense-programsMARAUDER program begins — AFRL fires compact toroid plasmoids as weapons
Shiva Star facility. 100 billion g acceleration. Explicitly NOT fusion. Same facility as FRCHX. The critical link.
defense-programsAFRL Phillips Lab DEW Research
AFRL Phillips Laboratory researches Directed Energy Weapons, including high-energy lasers and sonic flocculators.
fusion-physicsAFRL Directed Energy Weapons
U.S. AFRL Phillips Laboratory develops high-energy lasers and sonic flocculator weapons.
defense-programsMARAUDER (August 1993): USAF compact toroid weapon, 100 billion g acceleration, Shiva Star, went dark mid-1990s
USAF Phillips Lab compact toroid weapon. 100 billion g acceleration. 9.5 MJ Shiva Star. 'Not a fusion program' — weapons. Physics identical to FRC. Went dark mid-1990s. Lineage: SHIVA I → MARAUDER → F
uap-researchLLNL and Air Force Phillips Laboratory Collaboration
LLNL collaborates with the Air Force Phillips Laboratory on the MARAUDER device for accelerator studies and CT stagnation experiments at higher energy.
defense-programsAvramenko plasmoid weapon (April 1995): Russian plasma ABM tested, Ogonek/Belitsky DTIC document, 'Doverie' experiment proposed
Russian plasma weapon tested. Phased arrays focus 10 MW at 50 km altitude. Projectile deflected and self-destructed in tests. Yeltsin proposed joint US-Russia 'Doverie' experiment ($300M). Boris Belit
uap-researchAFRL Consolidation
Phillips Laboratory is consolidated into the newly formed Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), inheriting advanced propulsion research mandates.
historical-contextAMSC Nanodot Development
AMSC announces nanotechnology-based 'nanodots' to enhance flux pinning in YBCO superconductors, leveraging research from AFRL and LANL.
fusion-physics09 FAQ
What is Franklin B. Mead, Jr.? ▾
Why does Franklin B. Mead, Jr. matter? ▾
How does Franklin B. Mead, Jr. relate to other concepts? ▾
When did Franklin B. Mead, Jr. appear in the research timeline? ▾
Which entities are associated with Franklin B. Mead, Jr.? ▾
Is there a detailed dossier for Franklin B. Mead, Jr.? ▾
Quick_Facts
- Category
- Personnel
- Aliases
- Franklin B. Mead, Jr., franklin-b-mead-jr, Frank Mead, Franklin Mead Jr., Dr. Franklin B. Mead, Jr.
- Sources
- 5
- Related Terms
- 1
- Graph Entities
- 12
- Timeline Events
- 10