The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Fremont, Calif.-based Pacific Fusion have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore collaboration on high-yield fusion, high-energy-density science and related technical areas.
The MOU was signed by NNSA Administrator Brandon Williams and Pacific Fusion co-founder and Chief Technical Officer Keith LeChien as the company broke ground on its $1 billion Research and Manufacturing Campus in Albuquerque, N.M. Williams spoke at a groundbreaking for a Pacific Fusion research and manufacturing campus that was livestreamed from Albuquerque Tuesday.
The fusion company plans to build a fusion facility at the campus that will contain its demonstration fusion system, which is hoped to achieve net facility gain by 2030, according to Pacific Fusion’s Tuesday press release. Pacific Fusion selected the Albuquerque site in October 2025.
The campus will house Pacific Fusion’s Demonstration System, which the company describes as the first high-yield, high-gain fusion demonstration facility designed to conduct high-energy-density and inertial fusion experiments.
The agreement establishes a framework for NNSA and Pacific Fusion to cooperate on the development, integration and demonstration of a high-yield fusion system. It does not commit either party to specific projects or funding, which would require 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,” Williams said.
LeChien said the agreement provides a framework to explore how Pacific Fusion can collaborate with NNSA on high-yield fusion applications, including capabilities that could support the U.S. and its allies.
NNSA said in a press release Tuesday the partnership comes as U.S. adversaries expand fusion and high-energy-density research infrastructure, including pulsed-power systems and tokamaks. The agency said strengthening domestic infrastructure and cooperation among government, national laboratories and industry will help maintain U.S. leadership in fusion science.