Supply Chain
The breeder depends on a small number of critical supply lines, high-field superconductor, lithium-bearing blanket materials, and tritium-handling systems.
Critical supply lines
A compact D-T breeder concentrates its supply risk in a few materials and systems. Securing them is a precondition for the Q2 2027 construction start, because their lead times set the schedule.
- REBCO high-temperature superconductor for the high-field magnets
- Lithium-bearing materials for the breeding blanket
- Tritium-handling and accountancy systems for the fuel loop
- Specialized vacuum, cryogenic, and neutron-shielding components
Superconductor as the constraint
REBCO conductor availability and qualification are the tightest constraint. The 16.84 T peak field depends on it, and global manufacturing capacity for high-quality tape is finite. The program treats conductor supply as a committed, qualified route before construction begins rather than an open procurement.
Blanket materials
Breeding performance depends on lithium isotopics and blanket geometry. The supply plan covers lithium-bearing material and the neutron multipliers and structure that set the achievable breeding ratio across the 1.1, 1.5, and 1.8 lever range.
Tritium handling
Tritium systems, recovery, storage, and accountancy, are specialized and regulated. They are procured and qualified in step with the licensing pathway so the fuel loop can be operated and accounted for at first tritium.
Supply-chain readiness is a build precondition, not an operational detail. This page describes intended sourcing for a machine not yet built and contains no pricing or cost content.