Website: [lockheedmartin.com](https://www.lockheedmartin.com) ### Introduction Lockheed Martin Corporation, founded in 1995 through the merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta, is a global aerospace, defense, and security company headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. With approximately 122,000 employees as of the latest reports, Lockheed Martin focuses on advanced technology systems, products, and services, with a mission to solve complex challenges, advance scientific discovery, and deliver innovative solutions for global security and sustainability. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol [LMT](https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/LMT/). While Lockheed Martin is primarily known for its contributions to defense and aerospace, it has also ventured into advanced energy technologies, including nuclear fusion. Its work in this area, particularly through its Skunk Works division, has garnered attention for ambitious projects aimed at revolutionizing energy production. This report focuses specifically on Lockheed Martin's nuclear fusion efforts, providing a detailed overview of its technology, progress, and potential relevance to energy infrastructure needs. ### Key Products and Technology Lockheed Martin’s primary contribution to nuclear fusion is centered on its Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR) project, developed by the Skunk Works division. Below are the details of this initiative: - **Name and Type**: Compact Fusion Reactor (CFR), a high-beta fusion reactor design. - **Technical Specifications**: The CFR aims to produce 100 MW of power output in a compact form factor, small enough to fit on the back of a truck (a size reduction of up to 90% compared to traditional fusion designs like tokamaks). Specific efficiency metrics are not publicly disclosed, but the high-beta configuration (plasma pressure to magnetic pressure ratio near or above 1) enables a smaller, more efficient design compared to conventional tokamak systems with ratios around 0.05 [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_Compact_Fusion_Reactor). - **Fuel Type or Energy Source**: The CFR likely uses deuterium-tritium fuel, the most common fuel mix for fusion reactors due to its relatively low ignition temperature and high energy yield, though specific details are not confirmed in public sources. - **Key Differentiators**: The CFR’s compact design and high-beta approach allow for faster development cycles and reduced costs compared to larger fusion projects. Lockheed Martin has emphasized safety and sustainability, claiming the technology would produce no emissions and minimal radioactive waste [Lockheed Martin](https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/compact-fusion.html). - **Development Stage**: The project was active between 2010 and 2019, with initial announcements in 2014 projecting a prototype within five years and commercial deployment within a decade. However, updates have been sparse since 2019, and reports suggest the program may have been halted or deprioritized by 2021 to focus on core technologies [Aviation Week](https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/skunk-works-halted-nuclear-fusion-effort-2021). As of 2025, there is no confirmation of active development or a working prototype. - **Target Customers**: Potential customers include military applications (for portable power in remote operations), government agencies, and civilian sectors such as utilities and industrial users seeking clean, scalable energy solutions [Nuclear Business Platform](https://www.nuclearbusiness-platform.com/media/insights/compact-fusion-reactors). ### Regulatory and Licensing Status Since Lockheed Martin’s CFR is a fusion-based technology, it falls outside the typical regulatory framework for fission reactors managed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Fusion reactors generally pose fewer safety and waste concerns, and as of now, there is no established licensing pathway for commercial fusion in the U.S., though the NRC has begun exploring frameworks for fusion energy systems [NRC.gov](https://www.nrc.gov). Lockheed Martin has not publicly disclosed any specific regulatory engagements or applications for the CFR. - **NRC Application Status**: Not applicable at this stage, as the project appears to be in a pre-commercial or inactive phase, and fusion technology licensing is still evolving. - **Key Regulatory Milestones Achieved and Upcoming**: No milestones have been reported. Future steps would likely involve collaboration with regulatory bodies like the NRC or the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish safety and operational guidelines if the project resumes. - **Estimated Timeline to First Commercial Deployment**: Initially projected for the early 2020s based on 2014 announcements, the timeline has not been updated, and with the apparent halt in progress, commercial deployment remains uncertain and likely decades away if restarted. ### Team and Leadership Information on the specific team behind Lockheed Martin’s CFR project is limited due to the company’s focus on defense and aerospace over energy in recent years. Key figures associated with the project include: - **Thomas McGuire**: Former CFR Chief Designer and Technical Team Lead at Skunk Works. McGuire spearheaded the project’s early development, focusing on fusion as a potential power source for space propulsion and [[Terrestrial Energy|terrestrial energy]]. His background includes research motivated by NASA’s interest in faster Mars travel [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_Compact_Fusion_Reactor). No current X handle or social media presence is verified for him. - **Jim Taiclet**: Chairman, President, and CEO of Lockheed Martin. Taiclet oversees the company’s broader strategic direction, including advanced technology initiatives. No specific involvement in the CFR project is noted [Lockheed Martin](https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/who-we-are/leadership-governance.html). X handle: Not verified or publicly linked. Due to the lack of recent updates on the CFR, current team members or leadership changes specific to this project are not available. ### Funding and Financial Position Lockheed Martin’s CFR project funding details are not publicly disclosed, as it was developed internally by the Skunk Works division, known for secretive, high-risk R&D. The broader company context provides some insight: - **Total Funding Raised and Latest Round**: Specific funding for CFR is unknown. Lockheed Martin as a whole does not rely on external venture rounds for such projects, funding them through internal R&D budgets. - **Market Cap and Recent Stock Performance**: As a public company (ticker: [LMT](https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/LMT/)), Lockheed Martin has a market capitalization of approximately $130 billion as of late 2025. Stock performance has been stable, driven by defense contracts rather than energy projects. - **Key Institutional Investors or Strategic Backers**: Major shareholders include institutional investors like Vanguard and BlackRock, though their investments are tied to Lockheed Martin’s overall portfolio, not specifically CFR. - **Revenue Status**: Lockheed Martin reported $67.6 billion in revenue for 2024, primarily from aerospace and defense. The CFR project remains pre-revenue, with no commercial contracts or sales tied to fusion technology. ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |---------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dec 22, 2025 | Industry Fusion Investment | Trump Media enters the fusion sector via a $6 billion merger with [[TAE Technologies]], signaling renewed interest in fusion, though not directly tied to Lockheed Martin [Yahoo Finance](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-enters-race-fusion-power-210000221.html). | | Aug 28, 2025 | Speculative CFR Claims | Online speculation ties Lockheed Martin’s 2014 CFR claims to unconventional technology sources, though unsubstantiated [MysteryLores](https://mysterylores.com/news/lockheed-martin-fusion-reactor-claims-2025/). | | Mar 29, 2025 | Compact Fusion Industry Update | Reports highlight $7.1 billion in global investment in compact fusion, listing Lockheed Martin as a key player despite lack of recent progress [Nuclear Business Platform](https://www.nuclearbusiness-platform.com/media/insights/compact-fusion-reactors). | | Apr 9, 2024 | Nuclear Propulsion Focus | Lockheed Martin emphasizes nuclear propulsion for space exploration, unrelated to CFR but indicative of nuclear tech interest [Lockheed Martin](https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/features/2024/nuclear-the-way-the-future-of-nuclear-propulsion-is-here.html). | | Nov 8, 2023 | JETSON Program Award | Lockheed Martin awarded $33.7 million for nuclear electrical spacecraft power (JETSON), showing continued nuclear tech investment outside fusion [Lockheed Martin](https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/features/2023/lockheed-martin-jets-into-nuclear-electrical-spacecraft-power.html). | Note: Recent news specific to CFR progress is limited, with most updates focusing on Lockheed Martin’s broader nuclear or space technology efforts. ### Partnerships and Collaborations There are no publicly documented partnerships specific to the CFR project as of the latest information. Historically, Lockheed Martin mentioned building on over 60 years of fusion research, suggesting potential early collaborations with government or academic entities, though specifics are unavailable [EDI Weekly](https://www.ediweekly.com/lockheed-martin-reveals-breakthrough-nuclear-fusion-process/). The company’s broader nuclear efforts, such as the JETSON program, involve partnerships with U.S. government agencies like NASA and the Department of Defense, but these are unrelated to terrestrial fusion energy. ### New Hampshire Relevance Lockheed Martin’s CFR technology, if revived, could theoretically align with [[New Hampshire]]’s energy needs, though significant barriers remain: - **Proximity to Existing Infrastructure**: New Hampshire hosts [[Seabrook Station]], a nuclear fission plant, and is part of the ISO New England (ISO-NE) grid. A compact fusion reactor like CFR could integrate into this grid for clean baseload power, though no specific plans or studies mention NH as a target. - **Technology Readiness for NH Deployment Timeline**: With the CFR project appearing inactive since 2019-2021, it is far from ready for deployment in NH or elsewhere. Commercialization, if pursued, would likely take decades, misaligning with near-term state energy goals. - **Alignment with NH Legislative Initiatives**: NH’s House Bill 710 and interest in small modular reactors (SMRs) reflect openness to advanced nuclear technologies. Fusion’s safety profile (minimal waste, no meltdown risk) aligns with these priorities, but lack of progress on CFR limits applicability. - **Potential Applications**: If operational, CFR could serve NH’s grid power needs, support growing data center loads in the region, or provide industrial heat for manufacturing. Its compact size would ease siting challenges in a densely populated state. - **Existing NH Connections**: There is no evidence of Lockheed Martin expressing interest in NH or the Northeast for CFR deployment. The company’s focus remains on defense and space, not regional energy markets. ### Competitive Position Compared to other fusion companies, Lockheed Martin’s CFR project lags due to its apparent discontinuation: - **[[Commonwealth Fusion Systems]] ([[Commonwealth Fusion Systems|CFS]])**: Based in Massachusetts, CFS is targeting a 400 MW fusion plant (SPARC) by the mid-2020s, using tokamak technology with high-temperature superconductors. CFS has raised over $2 billion and is far ahead in development compared to Lockheed Martin’s stalled CFR. - **[[TAE Technologies]]**: Recently merged with Trump Media in a $6 billion deal, TAE focuses on aneutronic fusion with a field-reversed configuration, aiming for commercial power by the 2030s. TAE’s active funding and progress outpace Lockheed Martin’s fusion efforts. - **[[General Fusion]]**: A Canadian company with a magnetized target fusion approach, targeting a demonstration plant by 2027. Like CFS and TAE, it benefits from ongoing investment and clearer milestones. Lockheed Martin’s unique advantage was its compact, high-beta design for rapid deployment, backed by Skunk Works’ innovation legacy. However, the lack of updates and apparent project halt pose significant risks, rendering it less competitive in the current fusion landscape. ### Closing Note Lockheed Martin’s Compact Fusion Reactor project remains in an uncertain, likely inactive stage as of 2025, with no clear trajectory for revival or commercial outlook in the near term. *Report generated December 24, 2025*