Document Details
PURL
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Title:
An Analysis of Inert Gas Cooled Reactors for Application to Supersonic Nuclear Aircraft
Author(s):
Document Type:
REPORT
Publication Date:
1952 Sep 08
Declassification Date:
1997 Apr 16
Accession Number:
None
Document Number(s):
NAA-SR-111
Originating Research Org.:
North American Aviation, Inc., Downey, CA (United States)
OpenNet Entry Date:
2017 Mar 28
OpenNet Modified Date:
2026 Aug 21
Description/Abstract:
Results of an analytical investigation of high temperature, inert gas cooled reactors for aircraft propulsion are presented. A preliminary analysis was made for a 450,000 pound gross weight aircraft, to cruise at Mach 1. 5 at 45,000 feet altitude. Turbo-jet and compression-jet power plant configurations were considered. Even with optimum assumptions regarding performance of materials and components, specific power plant weights (pounds of power plant per pound of thrust delivered) were calculated to be too large to yield the design requirements. It is concluded that these reactors are not suitable for application to supersonic aircraft.