The Tu-95LAL was the first nuclear-powered aircraft in Soviet Union
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union had an experimental nuclear - powered aircraft program similar to the American Convair XB-36H Crusader. Without the need to refuel, a nuclear-powered aircraft will have a very wide range compared to conventional designs. XB-36H Crusader nuclear-powered test aircraft On August 12, 1955, the Council of Ministers of the USSR issued a directive to research nuclear-powered aircraft. The design departments of Andrei Tupolev, Vladimir Myasishchev became the main responsible unit, while ND Kuznetsov and AM Lyulka were appointed to develop the engine. They chose to focus on direct-cycle systems, testing ramjets, jet engines and even turboprop engines. Tupolev’s office knows the complexity of the task at hand, estimating that it will take two decades before a complete prototype is created. They think this type of aircraft may appear in the late 1970s or early 1980s. To gain experience, Tupolev suggested building a flight test platfor...