Tu-95LAL | |
---|---|
General information | |
Type | Experimental nuclear aircraft |
Manufacturer | Tupolev |
Number built | 1 |
History | |
First flight | 1961 |
Developed from | Tupolev Tu-95 |
The Tupolev Tu-95LAL experimental aircraft (Russian: Летающая Атомная Лаборатория, romanized: Letayushchaya 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]