Skunk works, which works on advanced development programmes, says it is building on over 60 years of fusion research to develop an approach that offers a significant reduction in size compared to mainstream efforts. The us defense contractor says that the reactor is no bigger than a shipping container, but could power 80,000 homes. This is an invention that might possibly modify the civilization as we know it. This technology pursued by lockheed martin lmis based on hotfusion, what occurs in the sun and during the detonation of hydrogen bombs. The marylandbased defense contractor recently obtained a patent associated with its design for a fully compact fusion reactor, after filing for the patent in.
Could lockheed martins proposed compact fusion reactor work. Oct 16, 2014 yesterday, defense contractor lockheed martin announced that they were working on a compact nuclear fusion reactor. Yes, if they can be built at such a compact size noted as 2 metres by 4 metres 6 feet by 12 feet they could readily be placed in such large vehicles. Until they publish, we cannot really assess what they have. Lockheed martins compact fusion reactor might change. The lockheed martin compact fusion reactor cfr is a proposed nuclear fusion reactor project at lockheed martins skunk works. The first and only official history of the worlds most famous advanced aircraft design bureau youve been waiting for. Does lockheed martin really have a breakthrough fusion. Oct 20, 2014 lockheed martins announcement last week that it had secretly developed a promising design for a compact nuclear fusion reactor has met with excitement but also skepticism over the basic. But lockheed martins compact fusion reactor will need them. Lockheed martin skunk works believes a new compact fusion reactor cfr can be developed and deployed in under a decade. In 2014, lockheed martin announced that it was working on a nuclear fusion reactor small enough to fit on the back of a truck. The compact fusion reactor from lockheed martin has produced. Mar 27, 2018 lockheed martin has quietly obtained a patent associated with its design for a potentially revolutionary compact fusion reactor, or cfr.
But lockheeds concept for a more traditional fusion reactor. Lockheed martin announces its skunk works wants to build a fusion reactor. Lockheed martins new compact fusion posted on june 5, 2016 by fabio evangelista this is an invention that might possibly modify the civilization as we know it. Yesterday, defense contractor lockheed martin announced that they were working on a compact nuclear fusion reactor. Oct 21, 2014 lockheed martin skunk works announced a prototype compact fusion reactor that could be ready within five years. Lockheed martins legendary skunk works team has come up with a new compact fusion reactor design that could achieve a 90 percent savings in size, meaning that a reactor that once took up an. The compact fusion reactor, or cfr, is at least in theory safer, cleaner, and more powerful than existing nuclear. We tour general fusions insanely high tech nuclear fusion research facility. The elite aerospace design unit has been constructing a new, more powerful experimental reactor as recently as july 2019. Lockheed martin announces compact fusion reactor plans fusenet. The reactors size in the report is seven meters in diameter, and 18 meters in length, which is similar to a submarine nuclear fission reactor.
Many said the device could solve the worlds energy crisis. Lockheed martin has filed a patent for a revolutionary compact fusion reactor. The novel magnetic cusp configuration would allow for stable plasmas in a geometry amenable to economical power plants and power sources. Oct 15, 2014 lockheed martin aims to develop compact reactor prototype in five years, production unit in 10 hidden away in the secret depths of the skunk works, a lockheed martin research team has been working quietly on a nuclear energy concept they believe has the potential to meet, if not eventually decrease, the worlds insatiable demand for power. Lockheed martin, the company that houses the famous secret airplane and aerospace group skunk works, is working on fusion too. Lockheed martin patents nuclear fusionpowered fighter jet. Lockheed martins new fusion reactor might change humanity. But a new project coming out of the skunk works team at lockheed martin iw 50030 is taking a different approach. Its about the size of a jet engine and it can power airplanes, most likely spaceships, and cities. Despite slower than expected progress, the company remains confident the project can produce practical results, which.
The lockheed fusion devices are proposed to power ships, planes and spacecraft. Newlyawarded patent for skunk works engineer shows design of compact fusion reactor, with a drawing of an f16 included as a potential application. A compact fusion reactor presented by skunk works, the stealth experimental technology section of lockheed martin. Lockheed martins skunk works is building a new, more capable test reactor as it continues to move ahead with its ambitious compact fusion. While fission continues to power our nuclear reactors today, fusion offers a. Dec 10, 2014 under pressure, lockheed opens up about secret weapons unit. The worlds largest gantry for automated fiber placement is seen at lockheed martin skunk works in this undated handout photo. Skunk works reveals compact fusion reactor details see more. Today, the team announced progress made on a compact fusion reactor cfr that packs the same power capacity of those largescale systems into a device small enough to fit on the back of truck. The announcement by lockheed martins skunk works of plans to develop a compact fusion reactor cfr has potentially huge implications for. However, even for technologists as skilled and innovative as those of the lockheedmartin skunk works, who have developed many notquiteimpossible aircraft among other things, making a.
One version is designed to produce 100 megawatts, enough to power a city of 100,000 people. In 2018, lockheed martin skunk works was selected for the design, build and flight test of the lowboom flight demonstrator lbfd. Compact fusion reactor kerfluffle ignited by skunk works. The details of the cfr configuration will be discussed along with a status of the current plasma confinement experiments underway at lockheed. This technology pursued by lockheed martin lmis based on hot fusion, what occurs in the sun and during the detonation of hydrogen bombs. Under pressure, lockheed opens up about secret weapons unit. The news that lockheed martins skunk works project is developing a compact cold fusion reactor rocked the world in midoctober. Lockheed martins new compact fusion reactor might change. Cannibalization, thy name is skunk works the answer is that taking a risk on the f35 is both essential for lockheed martin to remain at the top of the fighter jet game and built into the company. A compact fusion reactor developed by skunk works, the stealth experimental technology division of lockheed martin.
Its no secret that our skunk works team often finds itself on the cutting edge of. Lockheeds fusion reactor is 100 times larger than planned. Lockheed sees its compact fusion reactor as ready in 10 years. Hidden away in the secret depths of the skunk works, a lockheed martin research team has been working quietly on a nuclear energy concept they believe has the potential to meet, if not eventually decrease, the worlds insatiable demand for power dubbed the compact fusion reactor cfr, the device is conceptually safer, cleaner and more powerful than much larger, current nuclear systems. Skunk works exotic fusion reactor program moves forward. The f22 raptor developed initially by lockheed martins skunk works program opened the door for fifth generation classification, and from there the development of the f35 lightning. With what seems a 4th generation prototype called t4, the aerospace giant says to have developed a high beta configuration, which allows a compact reactor. Now lockheed martin says they can design a minidevice in just 10 years.
Scientists skeptical of lockheed martins trucksized fusion reactor breakthrough boast. Advanced tech firm lockheed martin says breakthrough made on fusion energy project. Apr 03, 2018 nonetheless, the defense contractors advanced projects arm, skunk works, has been working on the reactor since the company announced the project in 2014. Jun 05, 2016 lockheed martins new compact fusion posted on june 5, 2016 by fabio evangelista this is an invention that might possibly modify the civilization as we know it. Lockheedmartin skunk works announced a prototype compact fusion reactor that could be ready within five years. Lockheed makes breakthrough in nuclear fusion the hindu. Lockheeds on its 5th iteration of its fusion reactor. What once was the provenance comic books a supercompact, highpowered fusion reactor is now becoming a reality, and soon bruce wayne and tony. In november, lockheed martin presented two posters on the cfr at the 2016 aps meeting in san diego. Oct 15, 2014 44 videos play all skunk works lockheed martin lockheed martin mix play all mix lockheed martin youtube a journey to the end of the universe duration. Aug 18, 2015 the high beta fusion reactor also known as the 4th generation prototype t4 is a project being developed by a team led by charles chase of lockheed martins skunk works. May 04, 2017 in 2014, lockheed martin announced that it was working on a nuclear fusion reactor small enough to fit on the back of a truck.
Breakthrough on fusion energy announced by lockheed video. Mcguire, compact fusion lead for the skunk works revolutionary technology. Lockheed martin announces its working on a compact fusion. Lockheed martin announces a major breakthrough in nuclear. Lockheed s bleeding edge aircraft design and boutique technology development arm, the skunk works, has officially announced that they have what they think is a very workable and incredibly small. The compact fusion reactor cfr is expected to use a fusion process as opposed to the fission process used by nuclear power plants now. The us naval air warfare center aircraft division filed a patent for a compact fusion reactor cfr last month, one that claims to improve upon the shortcomings of the lockheed martin skunkworks.
Lockheed said on october 15 it would build and test a compact fusion reactor in less than a year that was 10. Pure tech lockheed martin skunk works reveals compact fusion reactor details submitted 4 years ago by dragon029. Lockheed martin has confirmed a breakthrough in fusion. Lockheed martin corp says prototype nuclear fusion reactors, small enough to fit in a truck, will come in five years. A compact fusion reactor from lockheeds skunk works ialtenergy. Lockheed martin, the american defence and aerospace group, has claimed a major breakthrough in developing nuclear fusion as an energy source. The lockheed skunk works has been open about its exploration in compact fusion reactors, having developed a magnetic container system about the size of a standard shipping container that could power a city of up to 100,000 people. May 06, 2016 its been 11 months since this question was asked. The novel magnetic cusp configuration would allow for. Lockheed martin has quietly obtained a patent associated with its design for a potentially revolutionary compact fusion reactor, or cfr.
Lockheed martins new fusion reactor might change humanity forever lockheed martin believes theyve uncovered the secrets to nuclear fusion. Lockheed martin compact nuclear fusion reactor concept will. It is responsible for a number of aircraft designs, including the u2, the lockheed sr71 blackbird, the lockheed f117 nighthawk, lockheed martin f22 raptor, and the lockheed martin f35 lightning ii, which are used in the air forces of. Skunk works exotic fusion reactor program moves forward with. Cfr should be safer, cleaner, and more effective than existing nuclear.
Lockheed martins ambitious plans to develop a compact fusion reactor cfr to provide clean nuclear energy remains on track according to the company and are set to move to the next stage with the completion this year of a scaled up, more powerful test reactor at. Us navy files patent for compact fusion reactor blogger. Lockheed developing compact yet powerful fusion reactor. The war zone has been reporting on lockheed martins skunk works work to create a gamechanging compact fusion reactor. Aviation week was given exclusive access to view the skunk works experiment, dubbed t4, first hand. The lockheed martin compact fusion reactor cfr is a proposed nuclear fusion reactor project at lockheed martin s skunk works. Nov 10, 2017 this feature is not available right now. Jul 29, 2018 lockheed martin recently registered a patent on a revolutionary design of a compact fusion reactor cfr, a mobile device small enough to be mounted on a truck. Lockheed martin s claim that it would try to build a compact nuclear fusion reactor in the next decade sounds like a science fiction dream coming true. Oct 16, 2014 lockheed martins compact fusion reactors. No more goofing around with this important technology. In 20, lockheed martins skunk works revealed experimental work on a new highbeta reactor design concept, a compact fusion reactor, for commercial fusion power. Mar 30, 2018 lockheed martin has quietly obtained a patent associated with its design for a potentially revolutionary compact fusion reactor, or cfr.
Lockheed martin skunkworks is developing a compact fusion reactor concept, cfr. That wasnt much of a surprisethe companys skunk works division is. But, its latest move suggests its been successful in scaling the size down even further. This revelation has raised eyebrows and sparked moments of enthusiasm. Aug 01, 2018 lockheed martin has filed a patent for a revolutionary compact fusion reactor. Lockheed martins announcement this week that it plans to produce a fusion reactor that will fit on the back of a truck in just ten years is yet more fantasy.
Cold fusion is known pseudoscience cannot be explained by current theory, and does not produce byproducts proving fusion has occurred. Lockheed martin announces compact fusion reactor plans. Lockheed skunk works says it has a nuclear fusion reactor. The high beta configuration allows a compact fusion reactor design and speedier development timeline. Lockheed martin announces its working on a compact fusion reactor. Lockheed martin s skunk works is building a new, more capable test reactor as it continues to move ahead with its ambitious compact fusion reactor program, or cfr. In a major pulling back of the veil of secrecy, official histories of such noteworthy products as the u2, a12, d21, sr71 and f117 are finally brought to light, authentically described by the company and the men who designed and built them. Nasa awarded lockheed martin skunk works a contract in february 2016 for the preliminary design of x59, designed to reduce a sonic boom to a gentle thump. This is an invention that might change civilization as we know it. Lockheed martin corp said on wednesday it had made a technological breakthrough in developing a power source based on nuclear fusion, and the first reactors, small enough to.
Lockheed promises compact fusion reactor, cheap and safe enough to remake society according to the hype david herron october 16, 2014 march 30, 2015 nuclear power today lockheedmartin announced new fusion reactor technology which could shift humanitys energy supply from the stoneage mentality to the modern energy paradigm. He leads a covert group of scientists code named skunk works. Lockheed martin announces its skunk works wants to build a fusion. Lockheed martin has secretly been developing a gamechanging compact nuclear fusion reactor that could potentially fit into a fighter jet.
A reactor small enough to fit on a truck could provide enough power for a small city of up to 100,000 people. Lockheed claims fundamental fusion breakthrough the. Its highbeta configuration, which implies that the ratio of plasma pressure to magnetic pressure is greater than or equal to 1 compared to tokamak designs 0. Its the size of a jet engine and it can power airplanes, spaceships, and cities. Tri alpha of san diego works to make fusion power a near term reality. What to make of recent fusion power announcements nova pbs. Lockheed developing trucksized nuclear fusion reactor. Then the head of the compact fusion project, thomas mcguire, said that a pilot installation will be created in 2014, the prototype in 2019, and the working sample in 2024m. What lockheeds nuclear fusion news means to those of us. Building on more than 60 years of fusion research, the lockheed martin skunk works approach to compact fusion is a high beta concept. Clean, abundant, sustainable and commercially viable energy from nuclear fusion is the stuff of science fiction. Skunk works state that it will be operational in 10 years.
In a nutshell, lockheeds skunk works team developed a process patenting pending that it believes will result in a compact fusion reactor within the next decade. How skunk works turned lockheed martin into the worlds. Currently, there are several patents pending that cover their approach. Will lockheed martin change the world with its new fusion. The revolutionary part is the compact size of the reactor. Lockheed martin claims major nuclear fusion breakthrough. Lockheed martin and its infamous skunk works topsecret technology development.
The current fighter generation, fifth generation aircraft, are in a state of ongoing development and production. As they work to develop a source of infinite energy, our engineers are looking to the biggest natural fusion reactor for inspiration the sun. If this project has been progressing on schedule, the company could debut a prototype system that size of shipping container, but capable of powering a nimitz class aircraft carrier or 80,000 homes, sometime. What happened to the fusion reactor by lockheed martin. Lockheed martin has obtained a patent for a compact fusion. Lockheed martin pursuing compact nuclear fusion reactor. Lockheed envisions such a system could power ships at sea, transport aircraft. On the ongoing skunk works working on the most advanced and secret development division of lockheed martin working on a compact fusion reactor became known in 2014. Matthew j moynihan, a nuclear fusion evangelist from houston released the technical specifications of lockheeds fusion reactor project, which are nothing to be proud of. Lockheed promises compact fusion reactor, cheap and safe. Lockheed martin compact fusion reactor update with video of. The compact fusion reactor by lockheed martin from their skunk works program has generated excited media attention. Lockheed martin skunk works reveals compact fusion reactor. Lockheeds compact fusion reactor turns out to be a hoax.
Advanced tech firm lockheed martin says breakthrough made. If it succeeds where past fusion reactor plans have failed, the technology portends a paradigm shift for humanity. Scientists skeptical of lockheed martins trucksized. Oct 17, 2014 no sooner does the university of washington announce that its working on a breakthrough compact fusion reactor cfr than lockheed martin says that its revolutionary technology programs unit. Visit techtips for a free trial try tunnelbear for free, no c. Skunk works is an official pseudonym for lockheed martin s advanced development programs adp, formerly called lockheed advanced development projects. What to make of recent fusion power announcements nova. Even if lockheed has made a breakthrough in fusion power.
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