
06/17/2025
Flying on Nuclear Power?!
In the 1950s, the United States Air Force developed the Convair NB-36H, a modified B-36 bomber equipped with an operational nuclear reactor. Part of the Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion program, it was designed to explore the possibility of a long-range nuclear-powered bomber.
From 1955 to 1957, the NB-36H completed multiple test flights. While the reactor didn’t power the engines, it proved a plane could safely carry nuclear material without harming the crew.
Still, the concept was overtaken by advancing missile and jet technology. In 1961, President Kennedy ended the program, noting that after 15 years and $1 billion, a practical nuclear aircraft was still far from reality.
Photo: U.S. Defenseimagery.mil photo no. DF-SC-83-09332