601B

This is coolbert:

Came across this quite by accident. My instantaneous reaction was spawn of Project Pluto.

Think that Russian Status-6/Kanyon/Poseidon nuclear-powered/nuclear-armed torpedo AND the yet unnamed Russian nuclear-powered and unstoppable cruise missile.

Think also 601B! American "outboard" naval nuclear power plant.

"This Nuclear Outboard Motor Was a Really Terrible Idea"

Thanks to the Internet Web site War is Boring and the article by Steve Weintz.

Inboard motor internal to the ship. Outboard motor external to the vessel and self-contained.

"Podded atomic propulsion was leaky and noisy"

"In the early 1960s the U.S. Navy could have gotten a disposable, atomic-powered outboard motor that would have made America’s warships a Hell of a lot more efficient. But there was the little problem of all that noise and radiation."

Not the best of images but illustrates the concept. American Skipjack class submarine with two "outboard' motors for propulsion. Interior nuclear reactor removed and replaced by the two 601B. Conventional propeller also no longer needed or present.

On paper this concept had great merit. ANY existing, major and conventionally-powered warship in the American naval arsenal could potentially become nuclear-powered. Strap-on "outboards" providing at a slight increase in weight twice the power WITH a more or less unlimited range!

Impressive!! Drawbacks however mitigating the gain. Plus far outweighed by minus. Minus to include: * Noise. * A radioactive spew. * Danger to the crew.

See an additional Internet web site with further discussion of the 601B and the potential plus and minus thereof.

IF IT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT PROBABLY IS NOT TRUE!!

coolbert.