Is The Atomic Outboard An Idea Whose Time Has Come?
1 min read
Summary
During the atomic era, small reactors, known as atomic outboard motors, were pitched for use in ships, however, there are concerns regarding their safety and quietness.
Developed by General Electric in the 1950s, the small, reactor-driven gas turbine was designed to be podded up and attached to the underside of a ship or submarine, and two variants were proposed: the 601A, which would connect the turbine to an electric generator, and 601B, which would connect it to a gearbox and bronze propeller.
Very little information has survived on 601A, however, the 601B, the marine propulsion pod is well documented and was designed to be slung under a ship or submarine, and two sizes were discussed, with the larger model measuring 60″ in diameter and 360″ long, weighing 45,000 lbs and outputting 15,000 shp, and the smaller version producing 3750 shp.
