Tupolev Tu-95LAL

Tu-95LAL
The Tu-95LAL test aircraft. The bulge in the fuselage aft of the wing covers the reactor.
General information
TypeExperimental nuclear aircraft
ManufacturerTupolev
Number built1
History
First flight1961
Developed fromTupolev Tu-95

The Tupolev Tu-95LAL experimental aircraft (Russian: Летающая Атомная Лаборатория, romanizedLetayushchaya Atomnaya Laboratoriya, lit.'flying atomic laboratory') which flew from 1961 to 1965 was a modified Tupolev Tu-95 Soviet bomber aircraft, analogous to the United States' earlier Convair NB-36H.[1] It was intended to see whether a nuclear reactor could be used to power an aircraft, primarily testing airborne operation of a reactor and shielding for components and crew. The reactor did not actually power the aircraft.[1]

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