Conclusions on Aircraft Reactor Program
The overall direction of the program has decidedly improved.
There is a
real possibility of using nuclear propulsion effectively in operating weapons
In view of the military potentialities as described
to us, high urgency is warranted,
General Electric's progress towards a workable propulsion system using ©
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the direct air cycle is distinctly encouraging.
Even though the solutions to
many problems are still outstanding, this program seems to warrant full and
increasing support,
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The general concept of a sodium-cooled reactor should also be supported
with high urgency.
The Fluid Fuel approach presents some exceedingly difficult
probleme and should be critically reviewed soon to determine whether it offers
a reasorable chance of producing a workable power plant within the time schedule
of weapmssystemsto which it is now committed.
Recent strengthening of the
ORNL staff is encouraging, but collaboration of Oak Ridge and Pratt & Whitney
seems te be lagging.
The active development of a heterogeneous reactor for
the sodium cycle may well be justified and we suggest that the Reactor Division
draft s proposed program, including type and scope of work and contractors,
which san be presented at the next meeting of the General Advisory Committee.
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Ir, Wigner disagrees with the above statements on the Aircraft Reactor Program
in the following respect (as expressed to Mr. Whitman):
"The only point where I would like to differ with you is your very different
appraisal of the two aircraft reactor programs. While I surely realize that
the direct air cycle is a very promising avenue and is quite likely to be
the one which ultimately survives, I also believe that the circulating fuel
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systems within ten years,