Our team of dedicated engineers and scientists assume it can be done. Lockheed martins secretive skunk works unit, which designed the u2 spy plane and f117 stealth fighter jet, is developing a reactor to harness nuclear fusion, the process that powers. If it succeeds where past fusion reactor plans have failed, the technology portends a paradigm shift for humanity. Can you spot all the legendary planes and future concepts. In nuclear fusion, you get energy when two atoms join together to form one.
Lockheed martin compact fusion reactor update with video. I was able to get a hold of their posters and i wrote this summary article. Compact fusion reactor would revolutionize earth and space. More than any other lockmart project, the compact fusion reactorif it is successfulhas the potential to change human society. Unfortunately, all efforts up to now have brought only marginal results, where the power generated is hardly more than the power required to operate the fusion reactor. April 1, 2018 eirnsaerospacedefense giant, lockheedmartins famous skunk works, known for its groundbreaking advances in aeronautics technology, has been working since 2014 on an alternative, nontokamak compact concept for producing fusion energy.
To speed up this timetable skunk works is proposing a scaled down fusion reactor. Building on more than 60 years of fusion research, the lockheed martin skunk works approach to compact fusion is a high beta concept. Lockheed skunk works reveal details of new compact fusion. Dubbed the compact fusion reactor cfr, the device is conceptually.
Skunk works exotic fusion reactor program moves forward. Fusionreactor is a hybrid monitor, it always comes as onpremise, but we also offer a cloud interface. The long wait for fusion power may be coming to an end. Lockheed martins 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. If it succeeds where past fusion reactor plans have failed, the technology portends a. The companys skunk works has provided new details to the public about its work in compact fusion. Lockheed says itll make a trucksized fusion reactor. Its about the size of a jet engine and it can power airplanes, most likely spaceships, and cities. Tipover crash test doesnt reflect realworld data as it works on a fix. If you have an fr cloud account, then metric and alerts will be sent to the cloud as well as locally. Enough power for a small city of 50100 thousand people. The novel magnetic cusp configuration would allow for stable plasmas in a geometry amenable to economical power plants and power sources.
This is essential for the use of fusion in all kind of uses, not only in huge, costly power plants. Oct 16, 2014 the companys skunk works has provided new details to the public about its work in compact fusion. Oct 15, 2014 the energy created through nuclear fusion can be up to fourtimes more powerful that the energy released by fission, lockheed claims on its website, and a smallenough reactor like the one being developed now by skunk works could provide enough power for a town of 100,000 people, according to the contractor. The holy grail of power generation is nuclear fusion. Lockheed martin is building a compact nuclear fusion reactor. This is an invention that might possibly modify the civilization as we know it. Fusionreactor cloud does not replace fusionreactor onpremise it extends the feature set. Lockheed martins compact fusion reactor might change. This concept uses a high fraction of the magnetic field pressure, or all of its potential, so we can make our devices 10 times smaller than previous concepts. Nov 10, 2017 for the love of physics walter lewin may 16, 2011 duration. The fusion reaction biproducts are also common, nonpolluting elements together with a heat source used for mechanical work. People have been having orgasms every time elon musk announces some new wildly infeasible project, but a practical, compact fusion reactor would be bigger than the invention of integrated circuits. Oct 21, 2014 lockheedmartin skunk works announced a prototype compact fusion reactor that could be ready within five years. In a conventional nuclear reactor, highenergy neutrons split heavy atoms of uranium, yielding large amounts of energy, radiation and radioactive wastes that last for long periods of time see how nuclear power works.
At lockheed martin skunk works, your mission defines our purpose. Its about the size of a jet engine and it can fuel airplanes, most likely spaceships, and cities. Spider is designed to locate and patch holes and other damage on the airships exterior. Skunk works reveals compact fusion reactor details bulletin. People have been having orgasms every time elon musk announces some new wildly infeasible project, but a practical, compact fusion reactor would be bigger than the invention of. Enough power for a small city of 50100 thousand people, in something that would fit on the back of a truck.
At lockheed martin skunk works, were making advancements in. But with dozens of research teams around the world working to a much longer timescale to achieve. As the us engineering company lockheed martin reports, its skunk works team is working on a new compact fusion reactor cfr that can be developed and deployed in as little as ten years. It should be noted that if they can actually deliver this, it will change everything. Spider is designed to locate and patch holes and other damage on the. Skunk works reveals compact fusion reactor details anthony watts october 15, 2014 wuwt reader paul ostergaard tips us to this article from aviation week and space technology video follows. Compact nuclear fusion reactor advanced science news.
With a visionary focus on the future, we partner with our customers to anticipate tomorrows capability gaps and technology needs to solve the most critical national security challenges today. This revelation has raised eyebrows and sparked moments of enthusiasm. Its no secret that our skunk works team often finds itself on the cutting edge of technology. Compact fusion reactor would revolutionize earth and space transportation. Currently, there are several patents pending that cover their approach. Lockheed skunkworks chief jeff babione told air force magazine last year. The lockheed compact fusion reactorannounced in 20, and currently under development by a team at the companys skunk works.
Nov 17, 2014 skunk power creates confusion over nuclear fusion. Lockheeds skunk works arm moves ahead with compact fusion. 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. As they work to develop a source of infinite energy, our engineers.
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. At lockheed martin skunk works, were making advancements in the development of fusion energy, the ultimate form of renewable power. 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. For the love of physics walter lewin may 16, 2011 duration. By containing the power of the sun in a small magnetic bottle, we are on the fast track to developing compact fusion reactors to serve the worlds evergrowing energy needs. One version is designed to produce 100 megawatts, enough to power a city of 100,000 people. Lockheed martin announces compact fusion reactor plans fusenet. Lockheed martins compact fusion reactor might change humanity forever. Lockheed martin compact fusion reactor update with video of. Lockheed martin announces its working on a compact fusion. Scientists skeptical of lockheed martins trucksized fusion reactor. Skunk works reveals compact fusion reactor details hacker news.
The cfr, which provides clean energy without producing radioactive waste, has both civil and military applications. Aug 01, 2018 lockheed martin has filed a patent for a revolutionary compact fusion reactor. Legendary planes, concepts in skunk works video popular. Lockheed martin has filed a patent for a revolutionary compact fusion reactor. 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. The other devices he seems to have based the compact fusion reactor on have preferred to aim for an aneutronic fusion process with boron and hydrogen fuel which requires much higher ignition temperatures. Oct 23, 2014 as the us engineering company lockheed martin reports, its skunk works team is working on a new compact fusion reactor cfr that can be developed and deployed in as little as ten years. A compact fusion reactor from lockheeds skunk works ialtenergy. But as an independent, nonprofit media organization, our operations depend on the support of readers like you.
Mini reactors could make affordable fusion power a reality. In november, lockheedmartin presented two posters on the cfr at the 2016 aps meeting in san diego. 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. Lockheed martins skunk works is building a new, more capable test reactor as it continues to move ahead with its ambitious compact fusion. The details of the cfr configuration will be discussed along with a status of the current plasma confinement experiments underway at lockheed. Scientists skeptical of lockheed martins trucksized fusion. Lockheeds skunk works developing trucksize fusion reactor the. Skunk works reveals compact fusion reactor details. Lockheed skunk works says it has a nuclear fusion reactor. What if you were able to generate fusion in a compact formfactor. Lockheed developing trucksized nuclear fusion reactor. As lockheed is a publicly held company, its fraudulent claims ought to be investigated by the s.
This design lets it to be 10 times smaller at the same power output of somewhat like the iter, which is anticipated to produce 500 mw in the 2020s. 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. Sep 18, 2017 the skunk works even built the worlds first. In february 2018, lockheed martin received a patent on a compact fusion reactor. The skunk works recent compact fusion reactor design.
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 martin has been working on a compact fusion reactor. Skunk works state that it will be operational in 10 years. Oct 15, 2014 by containing the power of the sun in a small magnetic bottle, we are on the fast track to developing compact fusion reactors to serve the worlds evergrowing energy needs. Lockheeds compact fusion reactor question physics forums. 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. The defense giant said wednesday that it is building a compact fusion reactor. Could lockheed martins proposed compact fusion reactor work. Lockheed martin pursues compact fusion reactor concept. Lockheed martin is betting that it can be done and within a decade. Fusion hold the promise of boundless power from abundant materials with no pollution or other environmental hazards.
Jun 05, 2016 the skunk works recent compact fusion reactor design. Lockheed martin has confirmed a breakthrough in fusion. Can you spot all the legendary planes and future concepts in. Lockheed martins legendary skunk works engineering division is developing a compact fusion reactor that uses cylindrical magnetic fields to confine the fusion reaction instead of the donut. 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. Intended to utilize an accelerated design cycle, and produce a fusion power plant small enough to be transported assembled. Thats why i really believe its worth a crack to see if we can get there in. Good on them if they can make it work, but ive been following this thing for some time now, and it smells strongly of bullshit. May 06, 2016 its been 11 months since this question was asked. Skunk works exotic fusion reactor program moves forward with.
What is most exciting is that the compact fusion reactor would be able to do this without the tons of radioactive material and waste that are currently produced by nuclear fission reactors. The world famous skunk works dev team has released a new video celebrating. They have 10x as much energy as fission neutrons and travel at speed of 52,000 kms 17. Skunk power creates confusion over nuclear fusion bbc news. Dec 29, 2017 lockheed martins legendary skunk works engineering division is developing a compact fusion reactor that uses cylindrical magnetic fields to confine the fusion reaction instead of the donut. Three such devices are the lockheed martin lm skunk works compact fusion reactor lmcfr, the emc2 polywell fusion concept, and the princeton fieldreversed configuration pfrc machine. The energy created through nuclear fusion can be up to fourtimes more powerful that the energy released by fission, lockheed claims on its website, and a smallenough reactor like the one being developed now by skunk works could provide enough power for. Thomas mcguire, the head of the skunk works compact fusion. Martin is working on a device that could become a compact fusion reactor.
Will lockheed martin change the world with its new fusion. Its high beta configuration, which implies that the ratio of plasma pressure to magnetic pressure is greater than or equal to 1 compared to tokamak designs 0. The bulletin elevates expert voices above the noise. Published citrix applications leave networks of potentially 80,000 firms at risk from attackers. Lockheed announces major breakthrough in nuclear fusion.
Lockheed announces major breakthrough in nuclear fusion rt. A reactor small enough to fit on a truck could provide enough power for a small city of up to 100,000 people. Musk should really just create a fusion energy company, if only just to make the world go wild on this. What happened to the fusion reactor by lockheed martin.
Its free if youre trying out the latest version of fusionreactor and youre installing it on one of our supported platforms. At lockheed martin skunk works, were making advancements in the development of fusion energy. Neutrons are generated from the deuterium and tritium fuel. Lockheed martins new compact fusion reactor might change. Fusion neutron 14 mev from fusion reactor is exactly as energetic as fusion neutron emitted by a neutron bomb and causes equal damage just distributed over longer time. None of the commenters above seem to realize that the lockheed fusion reactor claim is nothing but a blatant fraud. The high beta configuration allows a compact fusion reactor design and speedier development timeline. Skunk works, which has been working on the cfr project since 2014, designed the t5 experimental fusion reactor to manage the behavior of. The lockheed compact fusion reactor is ten times smaller than the iter reactor 3 4 tom mcguire, compact fusion lead for the skunk works revolutionary technology programs. Until they publish, we cannot really assess what they have. A compact fusion reactor presented by skunk works, the stealth experimental technology section of lockheed martin. Scientist behind the navys ufo patents has now filed. Lockheed portable fusion project still making progress lockheed martin continues to invest in its portable nuclear fusion generator, with that investment recently entering a more advanced stage, according to the head of the companys skunk works division. Lockheed martin skunkworks is developing a compact fusion reactor concept, cfr.
Lockheed says itll make a trucksized fusion reactor within. It is almost certainly the latest version of the compact fusion reactor. Lockheedmartin skunk works announced a prototype compact fusion reactor that could be ready within five years. Lockheed skunk works developing trucksized fusion reactor.
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