Atomic Powered Tanks

scJazz · #2 August 4th, 2005, 04:43 PM

The US Dept of Energy worked with the US Army and Air Force on a dizzying array of viciously stupid ideas back in the 50s. I must admit I've never heard of the nuclear powered tank before.

Randy · #3 August 5th, 2005, 02:32 AM

Just think that if one tank was knocked out it would wipe out the whole battalion in a melt down.

Shadowcougar · #4 August 5th, 2005, 03:19 AM

The Air Force was working on a atomic power bomber. I guess it didn't need a payload. just go crash on the targer.

PlasmaKrab · #5 August 5th, 2005, 05:26 AM

Actually they did build at least one nuclear-powered NB-36H prototype. AFAIK the nuclear propulsion was only backup for the jets in this one.

Very controversial program even at the time; for one thing, weight savings meant that the reactor was shielded only on the side facing the crew cabin... Meaning that the amount of outwards radiation was disastrous.

Extensive historical and technical data on this personal page.

BTW, the Soviets, though their atom plane was apparently just mock to scare the SAC dead, did intensive works on a number of nuclear-powered spacecraft launchers...
Search in here...

PlasmaKrab · #6 August 5th, 2005, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Randy said:
Just think that if one tank was knocked out it would wipe out the whole battalion in a melt down.

Consider one likely case: you stand your defence line, and the (armored) enemy pops up, you send jus a handful of these tanks well forward, they get toasted with a most likely motor kill, the crews bail out and rush back (in NBC suits) while the cracked reactors spread nuke fuel all over the rushing enemy tanks...

Very little chance that a hit reactor will go critical

Randy · #7 August 6th, 2005, 02:33 AM

That sound somewhat like a modern "Trojan Horse"!

MacGalin · #8 August 6th, 2005, 07:03 AM

I can't get this image out of my head - Advancing nuclear tanks, supported by soldiers in lead plated NBC battle armors...

PlasmaKrab · #9 August 6th, 2005, 07:21 AM

Huh, without even going to an AP-caused Chinese Syndrom, read the bit about "frequent crew changes to avoid excessive exposure"...

How do you tanker guys here consider manning a M-103-based beast in combat in a NBC suit continuously?

And how about a water-powered nuke plant (small) working on a bumpy, corrugated ground with tank suspensions? Primary leak in crew compartment, volunteers for a quick fix?

And to think that some great minds of the time were seeing nuclear cars all over the streets in year 2000...