Propulsion

Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR)

A compact, high-power-density fusion reactor concept based on FRC technology, developed at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The CFR is designed to be small enough for mobile military platforms (aircraft, ships, submarines). Publicly revealed by Charles Chase in 2014.

Verified Primary Sources

External Primary Sources

patent
US Patent 9,947,420 B2 — Magnetic field plasma confinement for compact fusion power
patent
US Patent 9,959,942 — Compact fusion reactor
patent
US Patent 9,502,202 B2 — Compact cylindrical plasma fusion reactor with coherent beam emission
news 2023-08-30
Skunk Works Halted Nuclear Fusion Effort Before 2021 — Aviation Week
Steve Trimble
reference
Lockheed Martin Compact Fusion Reactor — Wikipedia
corporate
Compact Fusion — Lockheed Martin

Related Terms

Charles Chase Black Track

Related Entities in Network Graph

Los Alamos National Laboratory
organisation
Central Intelligence Agency
organisation
Joint Special Operations Command
organisation
Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®
organisation
Boeing
organisation
Helion Energy
organisation
TAE Technologies
organisation
Freescale Semiconductor
organisation

Timeline Mentions (8)

1952

Project Sherwood established

The U.S. AEC's classified controlled-fusion program begins at LANL and partner labs.
1956

Christofilos begins Astron experiment at LLNL

Greek engineer starts E-layer field reversal concept. Earliest compact torus conception. Presented at 1958 Geneva.
1960

Christofilos Astron experiment at LLNL

The Astron experiment established the field-reversed configuration geometry that prefigured modern FRC research.
1963

First Formal Documentation of FRC Topology

H.A.B. Bodin publishes a paper in Nuclear Fusion describing 'reversed field loops' within a theta-pinch, providing physical evidence of the FRC state.
1966

Inertial-Confinement Flux-Trapping Model Proposed

T.S. Green and A.A. Newton propose that magnetic flux is lost via rapid convection at the radial Alfvén speed, a foundational theory for FRC formation.
1970s

Discovery of FRC Anomalous Stability

Experiments at LANL discover that Field-Reversed Configurations (FRCs) are significantly more stable than predicted by MHD theory.
1972

Astron experiment funding cancelled at LLNL

16-year project ends without achieving field reversal. Compact torus concept disperses to spheromak and FRC research.
1973

Christofilos Astron experiment cancelled at LLNL

17-year Astron project ends. Field reversal concept disperses to LANL (FRC) and LLNL/PPPL (spheromak).
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR)? ▾
A compact, high-power-density fusion reactor concept based on FRC technology, developed at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The CFR is designed to be small enough for mobile military platforms (aircraft, ships, submarines). Publicly revealed by Charles Chase in 2014.
How does Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) relate to other concepts? ▾
Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) is closely related to Charles Chase, Black Track. These relationships are documented in the research glossary and cross-referenced with primary source documents.
When did Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) appear in the research timeline? ▾
Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) is referenced in 8 timeline events, including "Project Sherwood established" (1952). The timeline provides chronological context for the development and application of this concept.
Which entities are associated with Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR)? ▾
8 entities are associated with Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) in the network graph, including Los Alamos National Laboratory, Central Intelligence Agency, Joint Special Operations Command. Explore the network graph for full relationship mapping.
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