Nuclear powered planes.

Capt'n Midnight

http://popularmechanics.com/science/aviation/2004/5/atomic_wings/print.phtml

Nuclear-Powered Jet Engine

A solar cell or engine-mounted generator sends electricity to run a small X-ray machine. The X-rays strike a block of hafnium-178, triggering a drop in the energy levels within the nucleus of the hafnium atoms. This change in energy levels is accompanied by the release of a burst of gamma radiation. The gamma rays heat the core of a heat exchanger. Superheated air from the exchanger floods into the jet engine, performing the same function as the expanding gases created by burning jet fuel. For safety reasons, conventional jet fuel will power the engine when it is below cruising altitude.

Stoner

can you stick that link up again cap, that looks deadly

bizmark

didnt the russians and americans build few test planes/jets back dureing the cold war ? seen it on the history channel i think

Capt'n Midnight

bizmark wrote:

didnt the russians and americans build few test planes/jets back dureing the cold war ? seen it on the history channel i think

eh no.
The russians wanted to find out if nuclear powered planes were possible, and decided to save a few roubles on the research by doing it on the cheap. So they leaked information that they were building one. The americans of course had to make their own one, and russian spies reported the results back. Turns out that if you take into account the amount of (lead ?) shielding it ain't worth it. NERVA / NP B36 are keywords IIRC.

Capt'n Midnight

http://www.gl.iit.edu/wadc/features/aircraft/B-36-PeaceMaker/
The NB-36H carried a nuclear reactor that was used by the WADC to do radiation shield testing. The reactor did not power the aircraft.

http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/bomber/b-36.htm

Lennoxschips

The russians wanted to find out if nuclear powered planes were possible, and decided to save a few roubles on the research by doing it on the cheap. So they leaked information that they were building one. The americans of course had to make their own one, and russian spies reported the results back.

Is this true? Bloody brilliant if it is.

Reminds me of NASA designing the pressure operated space pen while the Russians use pencils.

dudara

Or the stories about the american warplanes that would be kep covered and heated while the russians used to walk out into the cold, chip the icicles (?) off the wings and then start the engines.