General Electric HTRE-3 Nuclear Jet Engine
In 1951, the US military initiated a program for nuclear-powered aircraft with unlimited range. The Heat Transfer Reactor Experiments (HTRE) series, especially HTRE-3, showcased potential nuclear jet engine efficiency. Despite advancements, practical challenges prevented operational nuclear aircraft.
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In 1951, the United States military launched a program to develop a nuclear-powered aircraft with unlimited range, using jet engines heated by high-temperature nuclear reactors. The Heat Transfer Reactor Experiments (HTRE) series, including HTRE-1, HTRE-2, and HTRE-3, were conducted to explore the feasibility of nuclear-powered aircraft engines. The HTRE-3, the most advanced in the series, integrated a General Electric J47 turbojet engine with a compact and efficient nuclear reactor design, demonstrating the potential for nuclear jet engines to operate efficiently. The experiments aimed to address challenges like heat management, radiation shielding, and material compatibility. Despite technical advancements, operational nuclear-powered aircraft did not materialize due to strategic, technical, and ethical considerations. The HTRE series significantly advanced understanding in nuclear propulsion technology, paving the way for future developments in high-energy physics and nuclear technology. The HTRE-3 testing phase at the National Reactor Testing Station focused on assessing the safety and feasibility of nuclear propulsion in aircraft, demonstrating the practicality of nuclear air heating for jet thrust in controlled environments. However, challenges like weight, complexity, and safety in flight environments hindered its practical application for military or commercial aircraft.
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13 commentshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supersonic_Low_Altitude_Missil...
An unmanned nuclear-powered ramjet designed to spew warheads, with a predicted range of 116,000 kilometers.
I have wanted upon occasion to put together a YouTube channel where I drop in on nerdy road trip destinations to try and get others to roll out and check these places out as well. I think in fact it was my stumbling upon the Experimental Breeder Reactor 1 [1] where I first hatched the idea.
Such an amazing place and with those crazy nuclear jet engines just sitting outside.... So sublime: a picnic lunch with the wife and kids at a table by the experimental nuclear engines....
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experimental_Breeder_Reactor_I
For certain applications if unmanned you wouldn’t really need to worry about shielding. I wonder how long those motors can run continuously?
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