MAGO (VNIIEF)
MAGO (VNIIEF)
01 Executive_Summary
Russian magnetized target fusion experiment at VNIIEF (All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Experimental Physics, Sarov) — a NUCLEAR WEAPONS LAB. Started 1979 under decrees of the Central Committee of the Communist Party. Yu. B. Khariton reported MHD energy cumulation concept to USSR Academy (1976). Concept: pre-heated magnetized DT-plasma with adiabatic compression by liner imploded with magnetic field. Plasma acceleration in annular nozzle up to ~100 cm/us, heated by collisionless shock waves. Compression via explosive magnetic generators (100-500 MJ). MAGO II: ~200 eV, >100 kG. MAGO III: improved diagnostics. LANL-VNIIEF collaboration began 1992 as nonproliferation tool — 11 joint campaigns from September 1993. Both teams worked independently for years 'essentially unaware of the others' accomplishments.' VNIIEF achieved 25 MG. DUAL-USE PATTERN CONFIRMED: Russian nuclear weapons lab pursued MTF using explosive pulsed power, same as US (Shiva Star/FRCHX). Both claimed 'energy' applications. Both were weapons labs.
02 Definition
The All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Experimental Physics at Sarov (Arzamas-16), Russia's nuclear-weapons laboratory, analogous to LANL. VNIIEF collaborated with LANL on the MAGO MTF experiment.
03 Deep_Dive_Intelligence
Overview
Russian magnetized target fusion experiment at VNIIEF (All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Experimental Physics, Sarov) — a NUCLEAR WEAPONS LAB. Started 1979 under decrees of the Central Committee of the Communist Party. Yu. B. Khariton reported MHD energy cumulation concept to USSR Academy (1976). Concept: pre-heated magnetized DT-plasma with adiabatic compression by liner imploded with magnetic field. Plasma acceleration in annular nozzle up to ~100 cm/us, heated by collisionless shock waves. Compression via explosive magnetic generators (100-500 MJ). MAGO II: ~200 eV, >100 kG. MAGO III: improved diagnostics. LANL-VNIIEF collaboration began 1992 as nonproliferation tool — 11 joint campaigns from September 1993. Both teams worked independently for years 'essentially unaware of the others' accomplishments.' VNIIEF achieved 25 MG. DUAL-USE PATTERN CONFIRMED: Russian nuclear weapons lab pursued MTF using explosive pulsed power, same as US (Shiva Star/FRCHX). Both claimed 'energy' applications. Both were weapons labs.
Entity Type: Experiment — MAGO (VNIIEF) is a scientific experiment or test program.
Technical Definition
The All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Experimental Physics at Sarov (Arzamas-16), Russia's nuclear-weapons laboratory, analogous to LANL. VNIIEF collaborated with LANL on the MAGO MTF experiment.
Related Concepts: MAGO, LANL, Russia
Network Relationships
MAGO (VNIIEF) connects to 3 entities in the intelligence network:
Experiments (1):
- → Shiva Star: Both used explosive pulsed power for MTF
Organisations (1):
Programs (1):
- → Soviet Energetics Program: VNIIEF is Russian nuclear weapons lab
Research Findings
MAGO (VNIIEF) appears in 6 research analysis documents:
IEEE PulsedPower PlasmaScience 2019:
Findings: IEEE Pulsedpower Plasmascience 2019
Source PDF: [IEEE PulsedPower PlasmaScience 2019](/archive/IEEE_PulsedPower_PlasmaScience_2019)
Date range: 2016-2019
Source org: LANL
Summary
This document outlines the program for the 2019 IEEE Pulsed Power and Plasma Science Conference held in Orlando, Florida. It details ...
LANL MagnetizedTargetFusion 1994:
Findings: LANL Magnetizedtargetfusion 1994
Source PDF: [LANL - Magnetized Target Fusion: An Ultrahigh Energy Approach in an Unexplored Parameter Space (1994)](/archive/LANL_MagnetizedTargetFusion_1994)
Date range: 1970-1994
Source org: LANL
Summary
This 1994 report by Los Alamos National Laboratory and the All-Russian Scientific Institute for Experimental Physics explores Magnetized Ta...
LANL Magnetized Target Fusion 1996:
Findings: LANL Magnetized Target Fusion 1996
Source PDF: [LANL Computational and Experimental Investigation of Magnetized Target Fusion 1996](/archive/LANL_Magnetized_Target_Fusion_1996)
Date range: 1979-1996
Source org: LANL
Summary
Produced by Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1996, this report details computational and experimental research into Magnetized Target ...
LANL MagnetizedTargetFusion 1994:
Findings: LANL Magnetizedtargetfusion 1994
Source PDF: [LANL - Magnetized Target Fusion: An Ultrahigh Energy Approach in an Unexplored Parameter Space (1994)](/archive/LANL_MagnetizedTargetFusion_1994)
Date range: 1970-1994
Source org: LANL
Summary
This 1994 report by Los Alamos National Laboratory and the All-Russian Scientific Institute for Experimental Physics explores Magnetized Ta...
LANL MagnetizedTargetFusion 1994:
Findings: LANL Magnetizedtargetfusion 1994
Source PDF: [LANL - Magnetized Target Fusion: An Ultrahigh Energy Approach in an Unexplored Parameter Space (1994)](/archive/LANL_MagnetizedTargetFusion_1994)
Date range: 1970-1994
Source org: LANL
Summary
This 1994 report by Los Alamos National Laboratory and the All-Russian Scientific Institute for Experimental Physics explores Magnetized Ta...
Source Documents
Intelligence derived from 5 source documents:
05 Related_Entities (3)
06 Research_Findings (6)
# Findings: IEEE Pulsedpower Plasmascience 2019 **Source PDF:** `IEEE_PulsedPower_PlasmaScience_2019.pdf` **Date range:** 2016-2019 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary This document outlines the program for the 2019 IEEE Pulsed Power and Plasma Science Conference held in Orlando, Florida. It details a comprehensive range of sessions and presentations covering advancements in plasma physics, power supplies, and biomedical applications. The conference featured research from global institutions, in
View Source PDF → IEEE PulsedPower PlasmaScience 2019# Findings: LANL Magnetizedtargetfusion 1994 **Source PDF:** `LANL_MagnetizedTargetFusion_1994.pdf` **Date range:** 1970-1994 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary This 1994 report by Los Alamos National Laboratory and the All-Russian Scientific Institute for Experimental Physics explores Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) as an intermediate approach to fusion energy using explosive pulsed power. The document details the joint US-Russian MAGO experiment, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of pl
View Source PDF → LANL - Magnetized Target Fusion: An Ultrahigh Energy Approach in an Unexplored Parameter Space (1994)# Findings: LANL Magnetized Target Fusion 1996 **Source PDF:** `LANL_Magnetized_Target_Fusion_1996.pdf` **Date range:** 1979-1996 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary Produced by Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1996, this report details computational and experimental research into Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF), an approach intermediate between magnetic and inertial confinement. The study evaluates candidate target plasmas, specifically the Russian-originated 'MAGO' scheme and deuterium-fiber-i
View Source PDF → LANL Computational and Experimental Investigation of Magnetized Target Fusion 1996# Findings: LANL Magnetizedtargetfusion 1994 **Source PDF:** `LANL_MagnetizedTargetFusion_1994.pdf` **Date range:** 1970-1994 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary This 1994 report by Los Alamos National Laboratory and the All-Russian Scientific Institute for Experimental Physics explores Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) as an intermediate approach to fusion energy using explosive pulsed power. The document details the joint US-Russian MAGO experiment, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of pl
View Source PDF → LANL - Magnetized Target Fusion: An Ultrahigh Energy Approach in an Unexplored Parameter Space (1994)# Findings: LANL Magnetizedtargetfusion 1994 **Source PDF:** `LANL_MagnetizedTargetFusion_1994.pdf` **Date range:** 1970-1994 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary This 1994 report by Los Alamos National Laboratory and the All-Russian Scientific Institute for Experimental Physics explores Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF) as an intermediate approach to fusion energy using explosive pulsed power. The document details the joint US-Russian MAGO experiment, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of pl
View Source PDF → LANL - Magnetized Target Fusion: An Ultrahigh Energy Approach in an Unexplored Parameter Space (1994)# Findings: LANL Magnetized Target Fusion 1996 **Source PDF:** `LANL_Magnetized_Target_Fusion_1996.pdf` **Date range:** 1979-1996 **Source org:** LANL ## Summary Produced by Los Alamos National Laboratory in 1996, this report details computational and experimental research into Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF), an approach intermediate between magnetic and inertial confinement. The study evaluates candidate target plasmas, specifically the Russian-originated 'MAGO' scheme and deuterium-fiber-i
View Source PDF → LANL Computational and Experimental Investigation of Magnetized Target Fusion 199607 Key_Findings
- ▸ Entity Type: Experiment — MAGO (VNIIEF) is a scientific experiment or test program.
- ▸ Related Concepts: MAGO, LANL, Russia
- ▸ → Shiva Star: Both used explosive pulsed power for MTF
- ▸ → LLNL: LANL-VNIIEF collaboration (1992-2003) nonproliferation
- ▸ → Soviet Energetics Program: VNIIEF is Russian nuclear weapons lab
09 Timeline_Mentions (9)
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-researchMAGO project begins at VNIIEF (Russian nuclear weapons lab)
Russian MTF program at weapons lab. Communist Party decree. Same dual-use pattern as US.
defense-programsSeminal FRC Scaling Laws Published
Spencer, Tuszewski, and Linford publish 'Adiabatic compression of elongated field-reversed configurations,' establishing fundamental scaling laws for magnetic compression heating of FRC plasmas.
fusion-physicsJoint US-Russian MAGO MTF collaboration begins
LANL and VNIIEF begin joint magnetized target fusion experiments using explosive pulsed power.
international-programsJoint US-Russian MAGO MTF experiment begins
LANL-VNIIEF joint magnetized target fusion experiment using explosive pulsed power.
fusion-researchUS/Russian MTF Collaboration (MAGO)
Irvin R. Lindemuth of LANL reports on a joint effort with the Russian Scientific Institute for Experimental Physics (VNIIEF) using the MAGO experiment to produce energetic magnetized plasma.
defense-programsUS-Russian MAGO Collaboration
Los Alamos and VNIIEF conduct joint explosive-pulsed-power-driven MAGO experiments to investigate Magnetized Target Fusion (MTF).
historical-contextPais PCFD patent (March 2018): Plasma Compression Fusion Device filed by Navy, then abandoned — same year CFR 'cancelled,' suggesting classified transition
Pais PCFD (US20190295733A1). Navy. Plasma core confinement + compression via accelerated vibration/spin. Abandoned. Fourth in complete chain (EM→Mass Reduction→HFGWG→PCFD). Coincides with CFR 'cancell
uap-researchLockheed Martin Ventures invests in Helicity Space fusion propulsion — despite CFR 'cancellation'
Same magnetic reconnection physics as CFR. Lockheed as 'potential long-term customer.' Boeing-Rocketdyne alum co-founded Helicity.
defense-programs10 FAQ
What is MAGO (VNIIEF)? ▾
What is MAGO (VNIIEF) connected to? ▾
When did MAGO (VNIIEF) appear in the research timeline? ▾
What source documents are available for MAGO (VNIIEF)? ▾
What does the deep dive analysis reveal about MAGO (VNIIEF)? ▾
Source_Documents 5 FILES
External_References 5 REFS
Glossary_Sources
Type: experiment
Region: main
Last updated: 2026-08-09