13 replies to this topic

[HexSystem6]

http://www.scientifi...-fusion-energy/

This just brings us one step closer to battlemechs.

Official Lockheed Martin press release linked below:

http://www.lockheedm...ear-fusion.html

Edited by HexSystem6, 17 October 2014 - 04:20 AM.

[Tolkien]

The article then goes on to discredit itself by saying that US subs and warships currently use fusion reactors... err no, they use fission reactors.

Also, as noted in the comments, doesn't anyone think it's a little strange that Lockheed is seeking external partners and funding to develop the prototype? Lockheed is a massive corporation, and if their management really believed in this why wouldn't they keep it internal and the spoils for themselves?

[Heffay]

Tolkien, on 15 October 2014 - 09:49 AM, said:

Also, as noted in the comments, doesn't anyone think it's a little strange that Lockheed is seeking external partners and funding to develop the prototype? Lockheed is a massive corporation, and if their management really believed in this why wouldn't they keep it internal and the spoils for themselves?

Pretty much this. For the potential payoff, if they actual had something they'd be digging in if they had something legit.

[Hex Pallett]

Tolkien, on 15 October 2014 - 09:49 AM, said:

\Also, as noted in the comments, doesn't anyone think it's a little strange that Lockheed is seeking external partners and funding to develop the prototype? Lockheed is a massive corporation, and if their management really believed in this why wouldn't they keep it internal and the spoils for themselves?

Because they probably don't. The problem with any public company is the owners/investors' concern regarding return of profit, and until oil runs out on earth, which is not gonna happen for another few decades, compact fusion/fission reactor is not gonna be profitable anytime soon.

Besides, they're still pumping out F-22 and F-35, so why the hurry?

[Tolkien]

Helmstif, on 15 October 2014 - 10:02 AM, said:

Because they probably don't. The problem with any public company is the owners/investors' concern regarding return of profit, and until oil runs out on earth, which is not gonna happen for another few decades, compact fusion/fission reactor is not gonna be profitable anytime soon.

Besides, they're still pumping out F-22 and F-35, so why the hurry?

Uhh, I think the F-22 production run ended in 2012.

As for the F-35, I thought it was way behind schedule with the 'neurohelmet' only showing up a few months ago?

Edit: According to wikipedia it was 2011 when the F-22 production run ended. http://en.wikipedia....tin_F-22_Raptor

Edited by Tolkien, 15 October 2014 - 10:11 AM.

[Heffay]

Also, 100MW on the back of a truck? Even if it's a semi, what kind of power cords will you have coming out of that thing?

[Alreech]

from the comments:
http://www.lockheedm...lar-fusion.html

Tolkien, on 15 October 2014 - 09:49 AM, said:

The article then goes on to discredit itself by saying that US subs and warships currently use fusion reactors... err no, they use fission reactors.

Also, as noted in the comments, doesn't anyone think it's a little strange that Lockheed is seeking external partners and funding to develop the prototype? Lockheed is a massive corporation, and if their management really believed in this why wouldn't they keep it internal and the spoils for themselves?

Maybe DARPA won't pay ?

a quick view at Wikipedia shows that Lockheed is cutting costs since 2010...

[Hex Pallett]

Tolkien, on 15 October 2014 - 10:10 AM, said:

Uhh, I think the F-22 production run ended in 2012.

As for the F-35, I thought it was way behind schedule with the 'neurohelmet' only showing up a few months ago?

Edit: According to wikipedia it was 2011 when the F-22 production run ended. http://en.wikipedia....tin_F-22_Raptor

Which makes even more sense. Gotta cut cost further if your money cow is not making money anymore.

(Not mentioning maintaining inactive production line is another sunk cost. Chinese Chengdu J-20 is in its late test run and J-31 is on its way, and when they enter production, all Lockheed need is buy a couple of congress speeches and sell F22 to US's Asian allies, especially since F-22's mobility is still head and shoulder above anything else in the world, thanks to its bullsh*t Pratt-Whitney power plant. But I digress.)

[Tolkien]

Helmstif, on 15 October 2014 - 12:24 PM, said:

Which makes even more sense. Gotta cut cost further if your money cow is not making money anymore.

(Not mentioning maintaining inactive production line is another sunk cost. Chinese Chengdu J-20 is in its late test run and J-31 is on its way, and when they enter production, all Lockheed need is buy a couple of congress speeches and sell F22 to US's Asian allies, especially since F-22's mobility is still head and shoulder above anything else in the world, thanks to its bullsh*t Pratt-Whitney power plant. But I digress.)

Could be... did a little more reading on Lockheed's recent performance and found out that the USAF is also really ticked off at them for their (or rather a subcontractor's) performance on GPS III, to the point that they invited Boeing et al to make a bid on the 2nd half of an order that used to belong to Lockheed...

Maybe they are cash crunched after all.

[Hex Pallett]

Tolkien, on 15 October 2014 - 01:15 PM, said:

Maybe they are cash crunched after all.

Not likely. Their stock price's been rising quite steadily for two years.

[Hex Pallett]

Marack Drock, on 16 October 2014 - 03:48 PM, said:

A quick look at Wikipedia can tell you anything an there is an 80% chance it is fake as it is the Wiki anyone can edit.

LOL I recall whenever was that time when a Malaysian flight was shot down over Ukraine, which media suspected that it was done by a Russian Su-25 attack jet (which is the Russian equivalence of A-10 and could never fly as high as a jetliner), the Wikipedia page for Su-25 was edited about 50 times over night regarding its height limit.

Edited by Helmstif, 16 October 2014 - 07:00 PM.

[HexSystem6]

Official Lockheed Martin press release linked below:
http://mwomercs.com/...t&f=15&t=174837