diu-napp

PROGRAM dossier

DIU NAPP

PROGRAM Programs Also: NAPP, DIU NAPP, Nuclear Advanced Propulsion and Power

01 Executive_Summary

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.'

03 Deep_Dive_Intelligence

Overview

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):

← Ryan Weed: Started DoD's first fusion program (NAPP) at DIU

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

05 Related_Entities (3)

Ryan Weed

person ←

Started DoD's first fusion program (NAPP) at DIU

Avalanche Energy

organisation →

NAPP funded Avalanche Orbitron compact fusion

Avalanche Orbitron

organisation ←

NAPP funded Avalanche Orbitron — DoD's first fusion program

07 Key_Findings

▸ Entity Type: Program — DIU NAPP is a government or defense program/initiative.
▸ → 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)

09 Timeline_Mentions (10)

1995

Bigelow founds NIDS (1995): 17-person science board with DOE, Navy nuclear, Apollo astronauts — 30-year UAP infrastructure begins

First professional UAP research institute. 17 experts (DOE, Navy nuclear, Apollo astronauts). 9 years funded. Skinwalker Ranch (1996). Foundation of modern UAP research network.

uap-research

1995

Bigelow founds NIDS + buys Skinwalker (1995-96): hotel billionaire creates private UAP research foundation, seeds AAWSAP

Budget Suites billionaire. NIDS (1995). Skinwalker Ranch $200K (1996). Bigelow Aerospace (1999). Genesis I/II. BEAM on ISS. 'Real estate to fund space.' NIDS → BAASS → AAWSAP pipeline.

uap-research

2008

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-research

2008

AAWSAP/BAASS (2008-2010): $22M DIA program, 50 scientists, Skinwalker 'living lab,' 100+ reports — largest US UFO investigation

$22M DIA program. BAASS contractor. 50 scientists. 100+ reports. Skinwalker Ranch living lab. All 5 DIA personnel experienced anomalies. Harry Reid funded. Lacatski + Stratton + Kelleher architects.

uap-research

2008

GAO 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-context

2022

DIU launches NAPP — DoD's first nuclear fusion program

Avalanche Energy Orbitron 'lunchbox-size' fusion. Ultra Safe Nuclear EmberCore. Orbital demo 2027.

defense-programs

2023

Loeb IM1 expedition (June 2023): BeLaU spherules 'never reported before' — first recovery of potential interstellar material

Harvard expedition. ~850 spherules. BeLaU composition never reported before. 1000x above solar system. 4x stronger than iron meteorites. 'Voyager-type meteor?' $1.5M Hoskinson grant.

uap-research

2023

July 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-research

2024

AFRL 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-programs

2024

Fox releases 'The Program' (Dec 2024): Grusch 'terrified for his life,' crash retrieval 'deliberately in subcontractor hands,' Eminent Domain = 'Ruby Ridge'

Documentary record of disclosure. Grusch feared for life. Crash retrieval in subcontractor hands = oversight evasion. Eminent Domain standoff predicted. 'Disclosure is upon us.'

uap-research

View Full Timeline →

10 FAQ

What is DIU NAPP? ▾

What is DIU NAPP connected to? ▾

DIU NAPP is connected to 3 related entities in the intelligence network, including Ryan Weed, Avalanche Energy, Avalanche Orbitron. These connections are documented through shared source documents, co-occurrence in research findings, and network graph relationships.

When did DIU NAPP appear in the research timeline? ▾

DIU NAPP is referenced in 10 timeline events, including "Bigelow founds NIDS (1995): 17-person science board with DOE, Navy nuclear, Apollo astronauts — 30-year UAP infrastructure begins" (1995). The full timeline provides chronological context for all documented activities.

What source documents are available for DIU NAPP? ▾

5 source documents are available in the research archive, including primary source PDFs from defense research collections. These documents provide the evidentiary basis for the intelligence assessment.

What does the deep dive analysis reveal about DIU NAPP? ▾

The deep dive intelligence assessment provides a comprehensive analysis of DIU NAPP, covering strategic role, network connections, and operational significance. The analysis is derived from 5 primary source documents and cross-referenced with the network graph.