NNSA and Pacific Fusion signed a MOU establishing a framework for public-private collaboration as the company broke ground on its Research and Manufacturing Campus in Albuquerque, NM.
National Nuclear Security Administration
August 25, 2026
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Agreement establishes framework for public-private collaboration supporting nuclear stockpile research, American energy dominance, and U.S. leadership in fusion science
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Pacific Fusion today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Regarding Collaboration on High Yield Fusion, High-Energy-Density Science, and Related Technical Areas, establishing a framework for public-private collaboration as the company broke ground on its Research and Manufacturing Campus in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The campus will house the Demonstration System, the world’s first high-yield, high-gain fusion demonstration facility designed to conduct high-energy-density (HED) and inertial fusion experiments.
The MOU was signed by Administrator Brandon Williams, and Pacific Fusion co-founder and Chief Technical Officer Keith LeChien. This agreement enables a framework for NNSA and Pacific Fusion collaboration, to advance shared interests in the development, integration, and demonstration of a high-yield fusion system. The MOU serves as a first step to deepen Pacific Fusion’s relationship and collaboration with NNSA; any specific projects or funding commitments are subject to separate agreements.
“Public-private partnerships are essential to unleashing American innovation, strengthening our national security, and ensuring the United States wins the global fusion race,” said NNSA Administrator Brandon Williams. “By working with American companies that are investing in advanced experimental infrastructure, NNSA can explore new opportunities to expand capabilities that support the nuclear deterrent while advancing American energy dominance and leadership over adversaries and competitors. This is just the beginning of a long and promising relationship with leaders in the fusion industry.”
“DOE and NNSA laboratories have created an extraordinary foundation of fusion, pulsed-power, and high-energy density science,” said LeChien. “This MOU gives us a framework to explore how NNSA and Pacific Fusion can collaborate on high yield fusion applications. Wherever our technology can help protect the United States and its allies, we are proud to work with the federal government and national laboratories to make those capabilities available.”
Pacific Fusion’s groundbreaking comes as our adversaries expand their fusion and high-energy-density research infrastructure, including investments in pulsed-power systems, tokamaks, and other advanced experimental facilities. Strengthening domestic research infrastructure and accelerating collaboration among the federal government, national laboratories, and American industry will help ensure that the United States remains the global leader in fusion science.