Atomic Plane?

This is coolbert:

Another blast from the past, so to speak. Once again, speaking about hafnium. The element, that when stimulated, will produce prodigious amounts of energy, most in the form of gamma rays.

Hafnium, when harnessed, to be used not as a bomb, but as an energy source to power an atomic airplane.

In this specific case, we are talking about a drone, NOT a manned aircraft. A drone such as the Global Hawk.

The atomic powered airplane is a "blast from the past". Research was widely rumored to be carried out by the U.S. and Soviets in the 1950's as to the feasibility of such an aircraft.

Research that demonstrated the concept as being UNFEASIBLE. A concept that had merit in some areas, but was just not practical. The main attraction was of course range. YOU WOULD NOT HAVE TO REFUEL THE PLANE. Missions could last as long as the crew did not tire, could still fly and not crash.

Weight was the primary reason for unfeasibility! So much shielding was needed to protect the crew from radiation that the aircraft became too heavy. Would not either be able to TAKEOFF OR CARRY A PAYLOAD!!

There was even further rumor at the time that the Soviets DID succeed in producing a combat capable bomber-like atomic plane.

"The rumor was spread that the Soviets had beaten us to the punch and had already flown an atomic powered aircraft.

On December 1, 1958, Aviation Week magazine ran an editorial in which it was announced that the Soviets had flown an atomic powered bomber prototype. This was accompanied by sketches, complete with large red stars, and supposed data on the aircraft. Time has shown all of this information to be false."

"In December 1958, Aviation Week claimed that:

"a nuclear-powered bomber is being flight tested in the Soviet Union. Completed about six months ago, this aircraft has been flying in the Moscow area for at least two months. It has been observed both in flight and on the ground by a wide variety of foreign observers from Communist and non-Communist countries."

Such a plane was reputed to have conducted a thirty day mission flying over the entire continental United States, carrying out photographic reconnaissance. During which time it was NOT EVEN DETECTED, it was so stealth-like!! So it was reported in the book, "The Invisible Government" by Marchetti and Marks.

"Several years later, a prototype of a Soviet conventionally-powered bomber, NATO code-named "Bounder," which never entered production, was found to closely resemble the schematics given to support the original nuclear airplane revelations. To date there is no indication that the Soviets were actually embarked on an aircraft nuclear propulsion program."




Atomic plane? The wave of the future? Wait and see! But, don't hold your breath!

coolbert.