' AIRCRAFT REACTORS
General
Our review of the aircraft reactor program (Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion,
or ANP) concentrated on the technicalstatus and prospects of the reactor
aoe
.
:
eo,
ee,
sane eee odietenn
eden
developments and the associated problems of integration into a propulsion
system.
We note, however, that the military have evidenced increased respon-
sibility for evaluating the potential military worth of nuclear-propelled
.
aircraft and have explored a concept for long-range bombing operations which
appears to capitalize effectively on the inherent characteristics of nuclear
propulsion.
This is the "nuclear cruise - chemical sprint" concept.
Chiefly
as a result of stronger and more realistic military planning and cooperation
with the A.E.C., the premises of the overall program seem much sounder than
before, with the result that reactor development work is proceeding on a more
purposeful and urgent basis.
OTSSES Thé-Mix.Forceregards the nuclear-powered aircraft as a potential weapons
system for the. 1960-65 period to replace the B52, which will then be outmoded,
It will be included in a preliminary design competition next year in which
the instructions will call for a study of a nuclear aircraft which will also
be able to operate on chemical fuel only and, as a hedge, a study of an
airplane which is designed solely for chemical fuel.
The A.E.C. budgets for fiscal 54, 55 and 56 in millions of dollars are:
Fluid Fuel (ORNL and P&w)
General Support (ORNL), e.g.
Shielding, Biolegy & Medicine
Direct Cycle (GE)
Nuclezr Development Associates
1954
1955
1956
5.5
10.3
15.2
3.0
3.0
3.6
0.1
0.3
0.3
5.9
5.6
9.3
et
pee