A San Diego-based company has successfully completed the Central Solenoid Module, forming part of the largest and most powerful pulsed superconducting magnet ever built.

General Atomics announced that this Central Solenoid will power the fusion reaction of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), the international fusion science facility currently under construction in southern France.

"This project represents a turning point for both the United States and General Atomics," said Dr. Wayne Solomon, Vice President of Magnetic Fusion Energy at General Atomics. As the first private company to accept the challenge of building a fusion magnet of this scale, General Atomics is proud to lead in developing the technologies required for fusion energy. The company emphasized that the Central Solenoid represents a major technological achievement for the United States. The magnet consists of six independent sections, or modules, each weighing more than 270,000 pounds.

Each module requires more than two years to manufacture and test before being shipped to France, where they are stacked to form the massive system. According to the company, the completed system stands 18 meters (59 feet) tall, 4.25 meters (14 feet) wide, and weighs over 1,000 tons.

The completion of the Central Solenoid further solidifies General Atomics' leading position in global nuclear fusion innovation and provides the United States with a key advantage in the race to pioneer the era of fusion energy.

John Smith, Senior Director of Engineering and Projects at General Atomics, stated: "The first nation to achieve fusion will hold the power to shape the future. Projects like the Central Solenoid prove that Southern California has the expertise, capability, and workforce. At General Atomics, we are not only building magnets—we are laying the foundation for future energy and are ready for the next challenges."

The company revealed that this 15-year project was completed at GA's Magnet Technologies Center in Poway, California. The enormous scope of work required unprecedented engineering innovation, including the installation of new tools in dedicated facilities and support from a specialized global supply chain.

According to the press release, over the years the program has built unparalleled technical capabilities at GA, laying the groundwork for future fusion technologies—such as blanket module testing and the manufacture of large high-temperature superconducting magnets for fusion energy and broader non-fusion applications.