Convair X-6
US proposed nuclear-powered plane (1950s) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Convair X-6 was a proposed experimental aircraft project to develop and evaluate a nuclear-powered jet aircraft. The project was to use a Convair B-36 bomber as a testbed aircraft, and though one NB-36H was modified during the early stages of the project, the program was canceled before the actual X-6 and its nuclear reactor engines were completed. The X-6 was part of a larger series of programs, costing US$7 billion in all, that ran from 1946 through 1961. Because such an aircraft's range would not have been limited by liquid jet fuel, it was theorized that nuclear-powered strategic bombers would be able to stay airborne for weeks at a time.[1]
X-6 | |
---|---|
A Convair NB-36H, the type of aircraft used for testing | |
Role | Experimental aircraft |
Manufacturer | Convair |
First flight | Not flown |
Status | Canceled |
Primary user | United States Air Force |
Number built | No units built |
Developed from | Convair B-36 |