Saturday, March 1, 2025

Convair NB-36H Nuclear-Powered Bomber

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The article "Convair NB-36H Nuclear-Powered Bomber" by Peter Suciu discusses the fascinating yet complex history of nuclear-powered aircraft and the experiments conducted by the U.S. Air Force during the Cold War, with a focus on the Convair NB-36H Bomber. The article begins by explaining the potential of nuclear power, which, despite its destructive capabilities as seen in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was once viewed as a potential miracle energy source. The early post-war era saw a fascination with nuclear technology, with suggestions in scientific magazines that miniature nuclear reactors could power trains and cars. This enthusiasm extended to military applications, resulting in the U.S. Air Force’s idea that nuclear power could offer unlimited range and endurance for bombers.

Convair NB-36H in test flight with Boeing B-50 Superfortress in formation An air-to-air view of the Convair NB-36H Peacemaker experimental aircraft (s/n 51-5712) and a Boeing B-50 Superfortress chase plane during research and development taking place at the Convair plant at Forth Worth, Texas (USA). The NB-36H was originally a B-36H-20-CF damaged at Carswell Air Force Base, also at Forth Worth, by a tornado on 1 September 1952. This plane was called the Nuclear Test Aircraft (NTA) and was redesignated XB-36H, then NB-36H, and was modified to carry a three megawatt, air-cooled nuclear reactor in its bomb bay. The reactor, named the Aircraft Shield Test Reactor (ASTR), was operational but did not power the plane. The NTA completed 47 test flights and 215 hours of flight time (during 89 of which the reactor was operated) between July 1955 and March 1957 over New Mexico and Texas. This was the only known airborne reactor experiment by the USA with an operational nuclear reactor on board. The NB-36H was scrapped at Fort Worth in September 1958 when the Nuclear Aircraft Program was abandoned. Image: U.S. Air Force

The article further delves into how the Air Force embarked on a journey to explore nuclear-powered aircraft through the NEPA and ANP programs. A major endeavor in this pursuit was utilizing a modified Convair B-36 Peacemaker dubbed the NB-36H. The aircraft,

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