3 ms·
Navy reactors are also designed differently due to the confined space in which they typically operate. This is why they use the much more expensive super grade
by village-idiot 8y ago
Navy reactors are also designed differently due to the confined space in which they typically operate. This is why they use the much more expensive super grade plutonium, as it reduces the amount of heavy shielding required to protect crew who must live very close to their reactors.
- philipkglass 8y agoSuper grade plutonium is for warheads that humans will spend a lot of time near, like those in submarine launched ballistic missiles. But American naval reactors do use highly enriched uranium, which is much more expensive and needs more safeguarding than the low enriched uranium used in power reactors.