Nuclear-powered aircraft

This article is about aircraft nuclear propulsion. For the US Air Force program, see Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion. For the crystallographic feature known as an atomic plane, see crystallography.
The only US aircraft to carry a nuclear reactor was the NB-36H. The reactor was never actually connected to the engines.[1] The program was canceled in 1958.

A nuclear-powered aircraft is a concept for an aircraft intended to be powered by nuclear energy. The intention was to produce a jet engine that would heat compressed air with heat from fission, instead of heat from burning fuel.[1] During the Cold War, the United States and Soviet Union researched nuclear-powered bomber aircraft, the greater endurance of which could enhance nuclear deterrence, but neither country created any such operational aircraft.[2]

One inadequately solved design problem was the need for heavy shielding to protect the crew and those on the ground from radiation; other potential problems included dealing with crashes.[1][3]

Some missile designs included nuclear-powered hypersonic cruise missiles.

However, the advent of ICBMs and nuclear submarines in the 1960s greatly diminished the strategic advantage of such aircraft, and respective projects were canceled.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference auto1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Gallagher, Sean (22 March 2018). "Best bad idea ever? Why Putin's nuclear-powered missile is possible… and awful". Ars Technica. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  3. ^ Ruhl, Christian (January 20, 2019). "Why There Are No Nuclear Airplanes". The Atlantic. Retrieved 5 July 2020.