The Convair NB-36H Nuclear-Powered Bomber was an ambitious project initiated by the United States to explore the feasibility of using nuclear energy to power aircraft. The concept was inspired by the destructive power of the atom, first demonstrated in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and later investigated for potential peaceful applications. Despite the devastation caused by nuclear weapons, at the end of World War II, nuclear power was viewed as a miracle energy source, promising unlimited energy for various technological applications, including powering aircraft.
Working under the Manhattan District in 1946, Fairchild was tasked with studying the feasibility of nuclear-powered aircraft. This culminated in the Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion (ANP) Program, which sought to expand nuclear propulsion to aerial and possibly space applications. However, the project faced numerous technical and financial obstacles, with debates over cost-effectiveness and necessity—especially as missiles grew to replace long-range bombers— ultimately leading to the project's cancellation under President John F. Kennedy in 1961. Despite its discontinuation, the project did conduct extensive pilot studies, including the 47 flights of the NB-36H, securing its place in history.
To explore the full details and history of the project, see the original article here: Convair NB-36H Nuclear-Powered Bomber - The Armory Life
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