4 ms·
Now that drones are set to completely dominate the arena and shielding is no longer a concern, nuclear propulsion is going to come back. Russia is already doin
by missosoup 7y ago
Now that drones are set to completely dominate the arena and shielding is no longer a concern, nuclear propulsion is going to come back.
Russia is already doing it with the Skyfall missile.
Having a weapon or an attack craft with practically unlimited range and endurance is too tempting a capability to not develop.
I'm sure Lockheed and co are dreaming up large nuclear powered flying carriers which deliver swarms of smaller drones and standoff missiles anywhere on earth in a few hours.
- jabl 7y agoWhat additional useful capability does this provide? ICBM's already provide global nuclear strike capability. FWIW the US also had a mad doomsday nuclear powered cruise missile project (project Pluto).
- missosoup 7y agoIt's the dream. A flying carrier delivers conventional air superiority anywhere on the planet in hours at a fraction of the cost and risk associated with naval carriers. ICBMs are a ww3 doomsday weapon and belong to a completely different class. The ideal air superiority fight for USA would be to get a bunch of large long-range cargo planes carrying pallet launched missiles and drones and dump it all at standoff range. The only thing holding that strategy back is the cost and logistics of keeping those planes fuelled in the air.
- pastage 7y agoKeeping those planes maintained and serviced is going to cost abit too.