Nuclear Powered Aircraft Projects

[blackkite]

Tu-114 nuclear engine ASW larger image, 120 three side view and Tu-95LAL mercury cooling nuclear reactor.

http://masterok.livejournal.com/902924.html

 

[blackkite]

And "132". Not delta wing?

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=6360.0;attach=574694;image

 

[blackkite]

Hi! Weapon system 125.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WS-125
http://www.hitechweb.genezis.eu/pohon.htm
http://www.hitechweb.genezis.eu/pohon1a.htm

"The WS-125 was an American super long-range strategic bomber project during the cold War to develop a nuclear-powered aircraft, which was scheduled to be designated the B-72.
In 1954, the United States Air Force (USAF) issued a weapons system requirement for a nuclear-powered bomber, designated WS-125. In 1956, GE teamed up with Convair (X211 program) and Pratt & Whitney with Lockheed in competitive engine/airframe development to address the requirement.
In 1956, the USAF decided that the proposed WS-125 bomber was unfeasible as an operational strategic aircraft. Finally, after spending more than 1 billion dollars, the project was cancelled on March 28, 1961.
Powerplants
Two General Electric J87 turbofan engines were successfully powered to nearly full thrust using two shielded reactors.

http://jpcolliat.free.fr/x6/x6-8.htm

 

[blackkite]

Another source
https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/WS-125A
"Proposed projects
In 1955 , two teams were formed, with the task of furthering the study of the new bomber. These were formed by Convair and General Electric , and Lockheed and Pratt & Whitney . Subsequently, a project was presented also by Douglas .

In general, these were projects with very innovative ways. Lockheed opted for a radically new project, while the Convair decided to start from an existing model, or at least under development (special consideration were the projects of the Convair B-58 and ' XB-70 ). However, all aircraft should have been driven by a variable number of turbojets .

Characteristics
Convair Douglas Lockheed
Length (m) 51,91 48,92 48,92
Wingspan (m) 40,89 50,09 50,09
Height (m) 13,13 / 15,54 15,54 15,54
Wing area ( m² ) 464.5 464.5 464.5
Propulsion 6 x J-75/4 x XMA-1A 2 x J-75/2 x X211(?) 4 x XMA-1C
(Exhuast nozzle is 8!! ;D) (X211 is the name of turbo machinary. ;D) (Exhuast nozzle is 8!! ;D)


What is Douglas proposal?
Powered by 2 x J-75 and 2 x XNJ140E?

 

[blackkite]

Hi! Is this a Douglas WS-125A proposal?
http://www.aviationmodels-online.com/Featured_model9/Douglas_Atomic_Bomber.htm

"Douglas Model 26 ‘Atomic Bomber’
A wooden, in-house Douglas model of a proposed nuclear powered bomber for the USAF. The layout was clearly designed to keep the crew as far away from the engines as possible! It was possibly a contemporary of the Convair NX-2 project, proposed in response to requirement WS-125A, dated 1954. The Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion programme was abandoned in 1961, so the model probably dates from the mid/late ‘50s."

I can't see additional two J-75 engines. ;D

Sir George Cox collection
http://www.aviationmodels-online.com/Featured_model9/featured9.htm

I remember that I used to see this aircraft somewhere in this forum.

 

[blackkite]

Hi! Martin model 331-1.
CFR means circulating fuel indirect cycle nuclear reactor.
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=855.0;attach=575050;image
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=855.0;attach=575048;image

http://www.combatreform.org/p6mseamaster.htm

 

[blackkite]

Hi!
Convair blueprint for the nuclear-powered Princess. Photo via Scott Lowther

https://warisboring.com/her-majestys-nuclear-seaplane-7043b94b09aa#.oc7uq1ct8

"So when the U.S. Navy approached Convair with a really weird idea, the San Diego aircraft maker responded with alacrity. If the Princess flying boats were brought to America, asked the Navy, could Convair convert them to nuclear power? Yes, said the company, and drew up blueprints for the modifications. Like the Convair Crusader, the nuclear Princess would be a testbed for atomic-powered flight and crew shielding.All that room prepared for Imperial dignitaries and posh travellers would accommodate a Pratt & Whitney liquid-metal-cooled reactor, a heat exchanger and some serious plumbing to run superheated (radioactive) air into special P&W gas turbines; the “hot” gas would replace gas heated by jet fuel once the big plane reached cruising altitude.

Four turboprop engines would get the seaplane airborne while two nuclear turboprop engines(Nuclear-chemical P&W T57 turboprop engine) would take over during cruise. The great weight of the nuclear power system played to the flying boat’s strength — it’s easier to float great weights than land them on runways. The Air Force’s planned nuclear bomber would have required a 3-mile long runway, as long as the Space Shuttle’s."

Nuclear princess picture.
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1220.0;attach=202808;image
Model picture.
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1220.0;attach=202810;image

If an atomic airplane falls, it'll be a catastrophe. The crews rescue will be very difficult. A resident around the fall spot has to take refuge for an extended period, too.

 

[blackkite]

Hi!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S86zRMehs-A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m614VDfJ9oU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsCw0s0BJKY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZ-kkogj9Ro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cnFtYuqXX8

 

[aim9xray]

Hi! Is this a Douglas WS-125A proposal?

"Douglas Model 26 ‘Atomic Bomber’
A wooden, in-house Douglas model of a proposed nuclear powered bomber for the USAF. The layout was clearly designed to keep the crew as far away from the engines as possible! It was possibly a contemporary of the Convair NX-2 project, proposed in response to requirement WS-125A, dated 1954. The Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion programme was abandoned in 1961, so the model probably dates from the mid/late ‘50s."

Unfortunately, no. The model appears to have been modified at some time from the "Hughes Interceptor" concept shown below. Mention of GEN Laurence Kuter as CINC NORAD in the caption would date the photo as having been released between 1958 and 1961.

 

[blackkite]

Oh I remember this topic. It's better to ask Hughes or Boeing.
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,12608.msg234713.html#msg234713

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,855.195.html

 

[blackkite]

Hi!
Nuclear powered XC-99 plan with AC-2 direct cycle nuclear reactor(two turbo machinary) and two J-77 chemical turbojet engine.

https://ntrl.ntis.gov/NTRL/dashboard/searchResults/titleDetail/APEX910.xhtml

 

[hesham]

Hi!
Nuclear powered XC-99 plan with AC-2 direct cycle nuclear reactor(two turbo machinary) and two J-77 chemical turbojet engine.

I sent it before,the same drawing in reply # 154;

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,855.msg228752.html#msg228752

 

[blackkite]

Super!! I lost it.
And Nuclear Navy sea plane powered by CCR(compact-core reactor) which proposed by the Nuclear Development Corporation.
This nuclear reactor had solid fuel which cooled by liquid metal.

Also modified AC-110 (perhaps direct cycle)power plant and AC-107 power plant installation was studied.(AC means air cooled reactor?)

 

[blackkite]

Hi! Nuclear powered Princess study.

 

[blackkite]

Hi! B-52G XNJ140E-1 nuclear turbojet engine test bed and nuclear powered supersonic aircraft design.
XNJ140E-1 engine is very large or this picture shows LF-2 engine?

XNJ140 was a nuclear engine with single X211 turbo machinary.
Each X211 air intake diameter : 1.4m.
J-57's diameter is abut 1m.

 

[blackkite]

GE also investigated liquid-circulating-fuel nuclear reactor called LF-1 to LF-6. I think that LF means liquid fuel.
Intermediate heat transfer liquid of this reactor is NaK. Engine intake air was heated by Nak/air heat exchanger.
This report said that Nak has fire hazard.

 

[blackkite]

Hi! XB-70 nuclear engine capability.

 

[blackkite]

Hi!　J.F.K was great indeed.

https://books.google.co.jp/books?id=-XUtMbYJtkIC&pg=PA78&lpg=PA78&dq=p%26w+nuclear+engineering&source=bl&ots=APoVzjOrRV&sig=GFaLz-VMBvp2o6bhgs3-GdPgps8&hl=ja&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiy3czzt9jSAhXBS7wKHVn1BTAQ6AEIRTAF#v=onepage&q=p&f=false

Aviation Week 1958.
http://aviationweek.com/site-files/aviationweek.com/files/uploads/2014/10/1958-%20Soviet%20Nuclear%20Bomber.pdf

 

[blackkite]

Oh I remember this topic. It's better to ask Hughes or Boeing.
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,12608.msg234713.html#msg234713

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,855.195.html

I find this aircraft as Douglas Model 26 Atomic Bomber in Tony Buttler AMERICAN SECRET PROJECTS BOMBERS, ATTACK AND ANTI-SUBMARINE AIRCRAFT 1945 TO 1974, page 94.
He said that "It carries a Tactical Air Command crest on its fin". He also told about Hughes mach 3 interceptor.

And Lockheed nuclear bomber study is here.
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,14760.msg147685.html#msg147685

 

[blackkite]

Hi! Early nuclear powered aircraft concept from "Popular Science In October,1951".
The frist picture shows indirect nuclear reactor system. Primary coolant is liquid metal and secondary coolant is water. This system is same as Liquid metal cooling fast breeder reactor(LMFBR). But generally LMFRB has intermediate cooling system to protect reactor from sodium/water reaction which occured in sodium/water heat exchanger(Steram Generator) by heat transfer tube water leak.
The second picture shows also indirect nuclear reactor system. Coolant is water. This system is same as Boiling water reactor(BWR).
Perhaps the cooling water is maintained at about 75 atm (7.6 MPa, 1000–1100 psi) so that it boils in the core at about 285 °C (550 °F) same as BWR), and became heavy weight system.

https://books.google.co.jp/books?id=OSEDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA98&dq=popular+science+1951+atomic+aircraft&hl=en&ei=dgzFTP-MF8innQeCs-T4CQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=true

 

[blackkite]

Hi! P&W nuclear reactor concept(molten salt nuclear reactor) test report is here.
https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=22652.0

ORNL report.
http://web.ornl.gov/info/reports/1956/3445603503046.pdf

 

[hesham]

Hi! Early nuclear powered aircraft concept from "Popular Science In October,1951".
The frist picture shows indirect nuclear reactor system. Primary coolant is liquid metal and secondary coolant is water. This system is same as Liquid metal cooling fast breeder reactor(LMFBR). But generally LMFRB has intermediate cooling system to protect reactor from sodium/water reaction which occured in sodium/water heat exchanger(Steram Generator) by heat transfer tube water leak.
The second picture shows also indirect nuclear reactor system. Coolant is water. This system is same as Boiling water reactor(BWR).
Perhaps the cooling water is maintained at about 75 atm (7.6 MPa, 1000–1100 psi) so that it boils in the core at about 285 °C (550 °F) same as BWR), and became heavy weight system.

https://books.google.co.jp/books?id=OSEDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA98&dq=popular+science+1951+atomic+aircraft&hl=en&ei=dgzFTP-MF8innQeCs-T4CQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=true

Please,don't repeat what I sent before,

look to reply # 159,you will find the same pictures ?.

 

[blackkite]

Oh I missed it. But it happened sometime in this forum. I think it Inevitable nevertheless to avoid.

 

[hesham]

Oh I missed it. But it happened sometime in this forum. I think it Inevitable nevertheless to avoid.

Yes,but you must check from previous pages at first.

 

[blackkite]

Of course I always did.

 

[RAP]

Convair USN Nuclear A/C Review

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1960-Convair-U-S-Navy-Nuclear-Aircraft-REVIEW-Fighter-Seaplane-VTOL-/142405484521?hash=item2128073fe9:g:n00AAOSwlMFZNVE2

 

[Orionblamblam]

Re: Convair USN Nuclear A/C Review

Holy FRAK. MINE!!!

 

[aim9xray]

Re: Convair USN Nuclear A/C Review

I am reliably informed that another SPF member has placed the first bid.

 

[Orionblamblam]

Re: Convair USN Nuclear A/C Review

Well, poop.

 

[sferrin]

Re: Convair USN Nuclear A/C Review

That submersible nuclear ramjet is like SLAM taken to the next level.

 

[Orionblamblam]

Re: Convair USN Nuclear A/C Review

That submersible nuclear ramjet is like SLAM taken to the next level.

Yeah, that was everything awesome about the 1950's in one crazypants idea. Then came the 1960s with it's horizon-contraction... sigh...

 

[hesham]

Re: Convair USN Nuclear A/C Review

Great find RAP.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Re: Convair USN Nuclear A/C Review

That submersible nuclear ramjet is like SLAM taken to the next level.

Yeah, that was everything awesome about the 1950's in one crazypants idea. Then came the 1960s with it's horizon-contraction... sigh...

 

[hesham]

Hi,

http://www.enertipp.ch/index.aspx?z=1&id=191

http://www.avia-it.com/act/biblioteca/periodici/PDF%20Riviste/Ala%20d'Italia/L'ALA%20D'ITALIA%201954%20012.pdf

 

[lark]

British idea for a NPA.
Original article appeared in Flying Review early to mid fifties of the former century..

 

[hesham]

British idea for a NPA.
Original article appeared in Flying Review early to mid fifties of the former century..

Thank you for the Info my dear Lark.

 

[blackkite]

Hi! Tu-119 model.
http://saidpvo.livejournal.com/172879.html
Another image.
http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=855.0;attach=530326;image

 

[hesham]

British idea for a NPA.
Original article appeared in Flying Review early to mid fifties of the former century..

Which one (FR) or which issue my dear Lark.

 

[RAP]

Previously posted by Hesham but caption attached.

 

[moin1900]

Boeing 747 nuclear test-bed 1975
(D180-18783-1)
http://www.barbarossabooks.com/product/26937/747-Nuclear-Test-Bed-D180-18783-1-Boeing-Company

Aircraft nuclear propulsion system having an alternative power source / General Electric / 1967 / Kappus
https://patents.google.com/patent/US3547379

Aircraft nuclear propulsion system
General Electric / 1967 / Kappus
https://patents.google.com/patent/US3547380

Nuclear powered drone / Grumman / 1986
https://patents.google.com/patent/US4786008