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)
Green Fireballs Near Sandia (1948-1950)
209 green fireball/orb sightings near Sandia New Mexico 1948-1950. Copper powder residue found as physical trace evidence. 116 pages of investigations released via PURSUE Release 2. Green fireballs ap
HistoricalAerojet delivers 'Investigation of Pulsed-Train Plasmoid Weapons' final report (AD339084) — SECRET with RESTRICTED DATA
Aerojet-General Corporation completes final report AF08(635)-1671 under Air Force contract, catalogued at DTIC as AD339084. Born SECRET with bracketed paragraphs identified as RESTRICTED DATA (Atomic
Military ProgramVallée 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-researchLASL Fast Liner Experiment
LASL Fast Liner Experiment using magnetically imploded aluminum liners. Direct precursor to FRCHX and CFS-NM SLC. Also used coaxial plasma gun for injection.
Fusion PhysicsLLNL Beta II Compact Toroid Experiment
LLNL Beta II compact toroid experiment using coaxial plasma gun with LASL features. Second link in three-lab lineage: LANL (CTX) → LLNL (Beta II) → AFRL (MARAUDER).
Fusion PhysicsReagan 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-programsLLNL RACE Compact Toroid Acceleration
LLNL RACE program accelerates compact toroids in coaxial railgun. Fusion-oriented: ICF driver, x-ray generator, tokamak fueling. Inspired AFRL MARAUDER.
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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