Nuclear Planes!

8/2/2019 Nuclear Planes!

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DISCLAIMER

This report was prepared as an account of work sponsored by anagency of the United States Government. Neither the United StatesGovernment nor any agency Thereof, nor any of their employees,makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legalliability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, orusefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or processdisclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privatelyowned rights. Reference herein to any specific commercial product,process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, orotherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement,recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or anyagency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed hereindo not necessarily state or reflect those of the United StatesGovernment or any agency thereof.


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DISCLAIMER

Portions of this document may be illegible inelectronic image products. Images are producedfrom the best available original document.


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UNITED STATES AIR FORCEMajor General S. R. BrentnallDirector of Research and Development (MGR)Air Bfeiteriel CommandWright-Patterson Air Force BaseDayton, OhioColonel M. C. DemlerPower Plant LaboratoryEngineering Division (LCREXP)Air Materiel CommandWright-Patterson Air Force BaseDayton, OhioColonel J. A. GibbsChief, Aircraft LaboratoryEngineering Division (MCREXA)Air Lateriel CommandWright-Patterson Air Force BaseDayton, OhioColonel Walter A. CarlsonChief, Aero-Medical LaboratoryEngineering Division (MChEXD)Air Materiel CommandWright-Patterson Air Force BaseDayton, OhioColonel C. F. DambergOperations OfficeEngineering Division (MCRBOA)Air Materiel CommandWright-Patterson Air Force BaseDayton, OhioMajor F. W , BrunerPropulsion Branch, AFffiD-AV-3Directorate of Research and DevelopmentOffice, Deputy Chief of Staff, DevelopmentHeadquarters, United States Air ForceWashington 25, D. C.Lt. General J. E . HullWeapons Systems Evaluation GroupOffice of the Secretary of DefenseWashington 25, D. C.


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Lt. Colonel Irving HarrellUnited States Air Force SecretaryRDB Committee on Atomic EnergyOffice of the Secretary of DefenseWashington 25, D. C.Mr. D. Z. BecklerExecutive SecretaryRDB Committee on Atomic EnergyOffice of the Secretary of DefenseWashington 25 , D. C.Lt. Colonel John R. Hood, Jr.AMG Engineering Field OfficerPost Office Box EOak Ridge, Tennessee

jor James L. SteeleAF Plant RepresentativeNEPA DivisionFairchild Engine and Airplane CorporationOak Ridge, TennesseeColonel B. R, Lawrence, Jr.Materials LaboratoryEngineering Division (MCRE5CM)Air Materiel CoiraiiandWright-Patterson Air Force BaseDayton, OhioMr. M. R. WhitmoreMaterials LaboratoryEngineering Division (kCREJCM)Air Materiel CommandWright-Patterson Air Force BaseDayton, OhioColonel Frank J. SellerOffice of Air ResearchAir lilateriel CommandWright-Patterson Air Force BaseDayton, OhioColonel A. T. CulbertsonAircraft and Guided Missiles SectionEngineering Division (MCRK/A)Wright-Patterson Air Force BaseDayton, Ohio


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Mr. Carl E . ReichertAircraft LaboratoryEngineering DivisionWright-Patterson AirDayton, Ohio(MCREXA)Force Base

Mr. J. B. JohnsonOffice of Air ResearchAir Materiel CommandWright-Patterson Air Force BaseDayton, OhioMr. R. H. Best, LibrarianRAND Corporation1500 Fourth StreetSanta Monica, CaliforniaMILITARY LIAISON COMMITTEEMr. Robert LeBaron, ChairmanMilitary Liaison CommitteeU. S. Atomic Energy Commission1901 Constitution AvenueWashington 2 5, D. C.UNITED STATES ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSIONMr. R, A. AndersonU. So Atomic Energy Commission1901 Constitution AvenueWashington 2 5, D. C.Dr. Kenneth S. PitzerDirector, Division of ResearchU. S. Atomic Energy Commission1901 Constitution AvenueWashington 25 , D. C.Mr. Walter J. WilliamsU. S. Atomic Energy Commission1901 Constitution AvenueWashington 2 5, D. CDr. L. R. HafstadDirec to r , Div i s ion o f Reac to r Deve lopmen tU. So Atomic Energy Commission1901 C on s t i tu t io n AvenueW ashin g ton 2 5 , Do Co


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Colonel Ralph L. WassellOffice, Director, Division of Reactor DevelopmentU. S. Atomic Energy Commission1901 Constitution AvenueWashington 25, D. C.Colonel W. S. BarksdaleOffice, Director, Division of Reactor DevelopmentU. S. Atomic Energy CommissionWashington 25, D. C.Captain H. G, RickoverOffice, Director, Division of Reactor DevelopmentU. S. Atomic Energy Commission1901 Constitution AvenueWashington 25, D. C.Dr. J. H. RobersonOffice, Research and MedicineOak Ridge OperationsU. S. Atomic Energy CommissionOak Ridge, TennesseeMr. Stuart ScottPatent AdviserU. S, Atomic Energy CommissionOak Ridge, TennesseeDocument RoomU. S, Atomic Energy Commission1901 Constitution AvenueWashington 25, D. C.United States Atomic Energy CommissionChicago Operations OfficeP. 0. Box 614.0-AChicago 8 0, Illinois(Attention: Research Service Division)United States Atomic Energy CommissionHanford Operations OfficeP. 0, Box 550Richland, Washington(Attention: Technical Information Library)Knolls Atomic Power LaboratoryP. 0. Box 1072Schenectady, New York(Attention: Document Librarian)


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United States Atomic Energy CommissionNew York Operations OfficeP. 0. Box 30 , Ansonia StationNew York 23 , New York(Attention: Division of Technical Informationand Declassification Service)United States Atomic Energy CommissionDocument Control BranchTechnical Information ServicePost Office Box EOak Ridge, TennesseeBrookhaven National LaboratoryInformation and Publications DivisionDocuments SectionUpton, New York(Attention: Mary E. Waisman)General Electric CompanyTechnical Services DivisionTechnical Information GroupP. 0. Box 100Richland, Washington(Attention: M. G. Friedank)Los Alamos Scientific LaboratoryP. 0. Box 1663Los Alamos, New Mexico(Attention: Document Custodian)Westinghouse Electric CorporationAtomic Power DivisionP. 0. Box 14-68Pittsburgh 30, Pennsylvania(Attention: Librarian)North American Aviation, IncorporatedAtomic Energy Research DepartmentP. 0. Box 309Downey, California(Attention: Dr. Chauncey Starr)NATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR ASiONAUTICSD T O Hugh L. Dryden (Attention: Dr. A. M. Rothrock)National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics1724 F. Street N.W.Washington 25, Do C.


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National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (2 copies)Aircraft Engineer Research Laboratory* Cleveland AirportCleveland, Ohio(Attention: Dr. R. F. Selden)UNITED STATES NAVYRear Admiral C M . BolsterAssistant Chief for Research and DevelopmentBureau of AeronauticsRoom 2W 65 Navy BuildingWashington 25, D, C.Rear Admiral T. A. SolbergChief of Naval ResearchNavy DepartmentWashington 25, D. C.Mr. Ivan DriggsBureau of AeronauticsNavy DepartmentWashington 25, D. C.Mr. Abraham HyattBureau of Aeronautics. Navy DepartmentWashington 25 , D. C.OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY. OAK RIDGE. TENNESSEEDr. A. M. WeinbergResearch DirectorOak Ridge National Laboratory, X-IO Site (15 copies)P. 0. Box POak Ridge, Tennessee(Attention: Central FilesANP Reports Office (10 copies)Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Y-12 SiteP. 0. Box POak Ridge, Tennessee(Attention: Central Reports and Information Office)ARGONME NATIONAL LABORATORY. CHICAGO. ILLINOISDr. Harold EtheringtonDirector of the Naval Reactor Division


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Argonne National LaboratoryP. 0. Box 5207Chicago 80 , Illinois(Attention: Dr. Hoylande D. Young)FAIRCHILD ENGINE AND AIRPLAN-E CORPORATIONM r . L. B, RichardsonDirector of ResearchHagerstown, MarylandNEPA DIVISIONM r . Turner A. SimsGeneral ManagerM r . Fo B. KauffmanAssistant to the General Manager1025 Connecticut Avenue N.W.Washington, D, C.Dro Miles Co LeverettTechnical DirectorM r . Charles WandelComptrollerM r . Co W. ColeDirector, Industrial RelationsD r . A. J. MillerActing Head, Physics DepartmentM r . Do D. CowenHead, Technical Information DepartmentINTERNAL DISTRIBUTIOND T O Robert Lo EcholsD r , V. Po CalkinsM r . Jo F. ConeybearM r . M, W. NesbittM r . Kenneth MilesM r . Wo Bo Seaver

M r , Wo J, KoshubaM r . R. E. Adams

M r . T. M. HunterM r . F, Co Dyer, Jr.M r . G. S, KnopfM r . P. M. Reyllng

O N C I A S S I F I E D


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Dr. W. B. LewisDr. R, S. Anderson

Mr, Lyle MartinMr. A. R. CrockerMr. E. S, BettisMr. D. M. Poole

Mr. Murray KanesMr. Paul Bancel

Mr. G. S. LanktonMain LibraryMaterials Library

C L A S S I F I E D


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I 10( I N C I i S S I F I E D

SUMMARY

A study was made of nuclear powered aircraft suitable for antisubmarine warfare. Preliminary design details are given for two ofthese aircraft, one powered by modified turbo-jets, the other bymodified ttirbo-props. The aircraft have gross weights of 395000pounds, carry crews of twenty (including relief personnel), and wouldbe able to remain on search missions for a number of days. The turbojet aircraft was designed for flight speeds between 120 and 350 knots,the turbo-prop aircraft for speeds between 100 and 238 knots. Twoother configurations are discussed briefly.

N C L A S S I F I E D


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11mmmINTRODUCTION

Nuclear energy propulsion offers the possibility of obtainingaircraft flight endurances substantially greater than those possiblewith present chemically fueled aircraft. This factor made it desirable to investigate the possibility of using nuclear power inaircraft suitable for antisubmarine warfare.

A brief discussion of the nuclear power plant is given in thetext, and a preliminary analysis is presented of two aircraft usingnuclear power plants. One of these applications is a turbo-jet aircraft with a speed range of 120 to 350 knots; the other is a turboprop aircraft with a speed range of 100 to 250 knots. These speedranges were chosen for the respective power plants to obtain compa

rable climb performance for each aircraft. The turbo-jet aircrafthas a military load capacity of 21,000 pounds; the turbo-prop aircraft has a military load capacity of 27,100 pounds. These carryingcapacities provide for torpedoes, bombs, and sonobuoys,although noattempt has been made to resolve the weight allowances into thesecomponents.

Some consideration was also given to two other aircraft configurations .

The results of this investigation are detailed in three-viewdrawings, performance estimates, and weight analyses.


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The basic components of the aircraft nuclear power plant usedin this study are shown in Fig, 1. These components are a reactorheat source, an engine (to convert reactor heat energy into mechanicalenergy (thrust)), and a circulation system (for transferring heatfrom the reactor to the engine).

The reactor consists of a core (containing fissionable material)surrounded by a shield (used to protect the crew from radiation).The shield used in this investigation was designed to decrease theradiation dosage to a value of 1/20 roentgen per hour in the crewcompartment with a distance of 50 feet separating the crew and thereactor. An indication of the magnitude of this radiation dosagemay be obtained by considering the allowable dosage of 300 milli-roentgen per week for civilian personnel in Atomic Energy Commissioninstallations, and that of 1 roentgen per hour for military personnel in present NEPA bomber studies (which assume the crew tomake a restricted number of 25-hour missions). By comparison, itmay be seen that antisubmarine flights of several days durationcould be made without subjecting the crew to a dosage in excess ofthat established for NEPA aircraft studies.

Flight range considerations differ from those of conventionalaircraft. The endurance of a nuclear powered aircraft is notprimarily a function of fuel consumption, but is determined bycrew radiation tolerances. As a consequence, the aircraft maymaintain any speed in its flight spectrum for the entire flight.The range is a simple function of flight speed and endurance.


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C O M P R E S S O R I R A D I AT O R - J T U R BI N E -I

FIG. 1 - SCHEMATIC OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

U N C L A S S I F I E D


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The engines used in this Investigation are essentially turbojet and turbo-prop units modified by adding radiators between the

compressor and burner sections. This arrangement permits both running the engines with the heat supplied by the radiators, and augmenting this heat with chemical fuel. The reasons for chemicalaugmentation are twofold. The technique offers a safety factor inthe event of reactor failure, and additional thrust may be obtainedfor take-off and high-performance conditions. A summary of preliminary power plant data for the turbo-jet and turbo-prop engines usedin this investigation has been prepared.

The circulation system consists of a liquid-metal circuit(sodium) together with the associated pumping system, for transferring heat from the reactor core to the intermediate heat exchanger; and another liquid-metal circuit (lithium) together withits pumping system, to transfer the heat from the intermediate heatexchanger to the engine radiator. The intermediate heat exchangeris placed within the shield to prevent radiation from escaping fromthe core circuit.

Cycle temperatures used in this analysis are based upon a reactor wall temperature of 14.00Fo, which corresponds to that beingplanned for a test-stand power plant, and is considered to be obtainable with currently available materials. This reactor walltemperature permits a turbine inlet temperature of approximatelyllOOOF. The chemical augmentation studies were based upon the thrust

Memorandum: "Summary of Preliminary Power Plant Analysisfor ASW-1 and ASl-3 Aircraft," September 29, 1950, from Wo A,Spraker to M, W Nesbitt. U N C U S S I F I E


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obtained by burning sufficient chemical fuel to raise the turbineinlet temperature to 1600F. Cycle temperatures are among the important variables affecting thrust-weight values for this type ofpower plant. Any temperature increases obtainable with improvedmaterials will result in substantially higher thrust-weight ratios.

It shoiild be emphasized that the power-plant components discussed above are very similar to those presently being planned foruse in a nuclear test-stand power plant.

']


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TURBO-JET AIRCRAFT (ASW-1)

Figure 2 presents a three-view drawing of a nuclear poweredturbo-jet aircraft utilizing four modified XJ-53 engines. Byusing turbo-jet engines in this aircraft, a compact power-plantunit can be obtained. This unit can be removed as a package without discoDJiecting the engines and heat source. It is believedthat this arrangement offers a high degree of airframe utilizationby permitting the interchange of power-plant packages.

Figure 3 and Table 1 show the predicted performance of thisaircraft at the design gross weight of 395,000 pounds. The endurance and cruising speeds are not specified, since they are notrelated, due to the uniqueness of the power plant. The aircraftmay be operated at speeds varying from 130 to 34-0 knots at an altitude of 5000 feet.

Figure 4 shows the predicted performance of the aircraft withnuclear power and chemical augmentation.

Table 2 details the results of the estimated weight analysisfor the aircraft. A weight allowance of 21,000 pounds has beenassigned to torpedoes, bombs, and sonobuoys. No attempt was madeto resolve this weight into these components. A 10,000-pound allowance was made for chemical fuel. In case of reactor failure, anadditional 50,000 pounds of chemical fuel would be available in thereactor shield. Weight provisions have been made for nose and tailturrets mounting four 20-millimeter guns with ammunition.

" C L A S S r o


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U N C W S S I F I E D U i U I S S I F I E D

PROF ILE AT FUSELAG E STAT ION660 AND 1014

PROFILE AT FUSELAG EC E N T E R L I N E

A S W - 1 A I R C R A F TD E S I GN GR OS S W E I GH TW I N G L OA D I N GW I N G A R E AA S P E C T R A T I OT A P E R R A T I OR OOT T H I C K N E S S / C H OR D R A T I OT I P T H I C K N E S S / C H OR D R A T I OE N G I N E SC Y C L E T E M P E R A T U R E

3 9 5 , 0 0 0 L B7 0 . 2 L B / F T 25 6 3 0 F T 2II.O.2 5.2 2.174 X J - 5 31 4 0 0 " F REACTOR WAL L1 1 00 F T U R B I N E I N L E T

PROFILE AT WING STAT ION 135

U N C L A S S I F I E DF I G . 2 - ASW-1 AIRCRAFT

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