Fuse Taps Defense & Tech Titans for Fusion's National Security Pivot

SAN LEANDRO, CA – December 03, 2025 – In a move that signals a deepening convergence between the quest for clean energy and the imperatives of national security, U.S. fusion company Fuse has appointed two high-profile leaders from the worlds of defense, intelligence, and technology to its advisory board. The addition of David Cattler, the former Director of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), and Wendy R. Anderson, a former senior executive at Palantir Technologies and the Department of Defense, underscores a strategic pivot that positions fusion technology not just as a future power source, but as a present-day tool for strengthening American resilience.

The appointments are a clear statement of intent for the San Leandro-based company, which is pursuing an ambitious dual mission: accelerating the commercialization of fusion energy while simultaneously providing next-generation nuclear effects testing for defense applications. Fuse Founder and CEO, JC Btaiche, framed the move as a critical enhancement of this integrated strategy. "David Cattler and Wendy R. Anderson strengthen our ability to serve both the energy and the national defense missions," Btaiche remarked. "Their deep experience across defense, intelligence, and national security domains will be instrumental as Fuse navigates the unique needs of the U.S. nuclear security enterprise while accelerating the world's transition to fusion energy."

A Brain Trust for a Dual-Use Future

The pedigrees of the new advisors are formidable and speak directly to Fuse's twin goals. David Cattler's career is a three-decade tour of the highest levels of the U.S. security apparatus. Before leading the DCSA, the government's largest security agency, he served as NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security and held senior roles on the National Security Council staff and for the Director of National Intelligence. His expertise in safeguarding critical assets and fostering public-private collaboration is directly applicable to a company operating in the sensitive nuclear domain.

"Much of America's advantage has come from people who come here to build what the world said was impossible," Cattler commented on his appointment. "The United States keeps its competitive edge by empowering responsible innovators who can move quickly and uphold the highest standards at the same time. Fuse represents exactly that kind of dual-use capability, strengthening both our energy future and our national resilience."

Wendy R. Anderson brings a different but equally crucial perspective, bridging the gap between deep-tech innovation and government adoption. As a former Senior Vice President at Palantir Technologies, she was at the forefront of a company renowned for embedding cutting-edge software into the nation's most critical defense and intelligence operations. Before her time in the private sector, she held senior leadership roles in the Pentagon, including Deputy Chief of Staff to former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Chief of Staff to the late Deputy Secretary Ash Carter, a key architect of the department's modern innovation initiatives.

Her experience is particularly relevant to Fuse's strategy of creating immediate value from its technology. "Fuse is taking on one of the most consequential challenges of our time - modernizing the systems that anchor America's nuclear enterprise," Anderson stated. She highlights a trend where private-sector speed and innovation become indispensable government assets, a path she helped forge at Palantir. "Fuse is carrying that spirit into the nuclear domain, showing how technology can drive both energy abundance and security."

Beyond Fusion: 'Radiation-as-a-Service'

At the heart of Fuse's dual-use strategy is its innovative "radiation-as-a-service" business model. While the long-term goal remains commercial fusion power, the company is leveraging its current technology to generate near-term revenue and solve a pressing national security problem. Fuse is developing a Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) approach, using a powerful pulsed-power driver called TITAN to create the extreme conditions necessary for fusion. While the ultimate prize is net-positive energy, the process itself generates intense bursts of radiation.

Instead of treating this as a mere byproduct, Fuse has weaponized it into a service. The company operates what is currently the only private facility in the U.S. offering high-spec combined radiation effects testing. Defense, satellite, and semiconductor clients can use Fuse's facility to test the resilience of their electronics against the harsh radiation environments found in space or near a nuclear event. This provides a critical capability for hardening military and commercial hardware, a market traditionally served by government-run facilities with long wait times.

This business model, highlighted by Anderson as embodying "the dual-use innovation America needs to stay ahead," provides a steady revenue stream to fund the capital-intensive, multi-decade journey toward a commercial fusion plant. It's a pragmatic approach that has attracted investors and government partners alike, including a recent contract from the U.S. Air Force to develop new nuclear effects testing options for the military.

Navigating a Competitive and Collaborative Landscape

Fuse's strategic appointments come at a pivotal moment for the fusion industry. The sector is buzzing with activity, with private investment surpassing $7 billion globally. Competitors like Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Helion Energy, and TAE Technologies are racing towards their own milestones, backed by tech giants and venture capital. The field is diverse, with companies pursuing a range of technological pathways from tokamaks to advanced fuel cycles.

Simultaneously, the U.S. government is throwing its weight behind the industry, recognizing fusion's potential to ensure energy independence and maintain technological leadership. The Department of Energy has launched major funding initiatives like the $220 million Fusion Innovation Research Engine (FIRE) Collaboratives and the INFUSE program, both designed to bridge the gap between basic research and commercial application by fostering public-private partnerships. On the policy front, the bipartisan Fusion Energy Act of 2024 aims to provide the regulatory certainty needed to unlock further private investment by establishing a clear, non-fission-based framework under the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

By building a board with deep government and policy fluency, Fuse is positioning itself not just to compete for contracts but to help shape the very ecosystem in which it operates. The appointments of Cattler and Anderson provide the strategic guidance needed to navigate complex procurement processes, influence policy, and build the trusted relationships essential for any company operating at the nexus of commercial innovation and national security. This approach suggests that for Fuse, the path to lighting up the grid runs directly through the heart of the defense industrial base, creating a powerful symbiosis that could redefine how America tackles its most ambitious technological challenges.