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Convair X-6
Experimental · USA · Early Jet (1946–1969)
The Convair X-6 was an experimental aircraft project to develop and evaluate a nuclear-powered jet aircraft. Experiments were carried out on a testbed aircraft named Convair NB-36H, based on the B-36 bomber. The program was canceled before the actual X-6 and its nuclear reactor engines were completed. The X-6 was part of a larger series of programs that ran from 1946 through 1961, and cost 7 billion USD. The basic idea was that nuclear-powered strategic bombers would be able to stay airborne for weeks at a time, as their range would not be limited by liquid jet fuel.
Specifications
- Category
- Fixed Wing
- Sub-Category
- Experimental
- Domain
- Defence
- Era
- Early Jet (1946–1969)
- Country
- USA
- Engine
- 4× nuclear turbojets
- Thrust / Power
- 5,200 lbf (23.1 kN) each
- Length (ft)
- 162
- Wingspan (ft)
- 230
- MTOW (lb)
- 360000
- Service Ceiling (ft)
- 40000
- Max Speed (mph)
- 390