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The Convair NB-36H was primarily designed for jet propulsion utilizing its onboard nuclear reactor.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Convair NB-36H was not designed for jet propulsion using its onboard nuclear reactor; its primary purpose was to test radiation shielding for the crew while carrying an operational reactor.
The Convair NB-36H aircraft was designated with the nickname "The Crusader".
Answer: True
Explanation: The Convair NB-36H aircraft was indeed known by the nickname "The Crusader".
The NB-36H was constructed from its inception as a dedicated nuclear testbed aircraft.
Answer: False
Explanation: The NB-36H was not built from scratch; it was a conversion of a B-36 bomber that had been damaged by a tornado.
The crew cabin of the NB-36H was substituted with a lighter, standard avionics section.
Answer: False
Explanation: The crew cabin was not replaced with a lighter section; rather, it was replaced with a significantly heavier, lead-lined section designed for radiation shielding.
The nuclear reactor installed on the NB-36H had an approximate weight of 16,000 kg and generated 1 megawatt of power.
Answer: True
Explanation: The onboard nuclear reactor of the NB-36H weighed approximately 16,000 kg (35,000 pounds) and had a power output of 1 megawatt.
The nuclear reactor installed in the NB-36H was permanently affixed and incapable of removal for testing purposes.
Answer: False
Explanation: The reactor was designed to be hung on a hook in the middle bomb bay, allowing for easy removal and unloading for safe storage between test flights.
The NB-36H holds the distinction of being the sole U.S. aircraft to have ever carried an operational nuclear reactor.
Answer: True
Explanation: The NB-36H is recognized as the only American aircraft ever to have carried an operational nuclear reactor.
The NB-36H featured a wingspan measuring approximately 70 meters.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Convair NB-36H had a wingspan of 70.10 meters (230 ft 0 in).
The NB-36H was powered exclusively by Pratt & Whitney radial engines.
Answer: False
Explanation: The NB-36H was powered by a combination of four General Electric J47 turbojets and six Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radial engines, not solely by Pratt & Whitney radials.
The maximum speed recorded for the Convair NB-36H exceeded 500 miles per hour.
Answer: False
Explanation: The maximum speed of the Convair NB-36H was 420 mph (676 km/h, 360 kn), not over 500 mph.
The service ceiling of the NB-36H was substantially below 30,000 feet.
Answer: False
Explanation: The service ceiling of the NB-36H was 40,000 feet (12,200 m), which is significantly higher than 30,000 feet.
The serial number 51-5712 was assigned to the Convair NB-36H aircraft.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Convair NB-36H aircraft was indeed assigned the serial number 51-5712.
The NB-36H was a derivative aircraft based on the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress.
Answer: False
Explanation: The NB-36H was not a derivative of the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress; it was derived from the Convair B-36 bomber.
The thick lead glass windows installed on the NB-36H were intended for visual inspection of the reactor core.
Answer: False
Explanation: The extremely thick lead glass windows (25-30 cm) on the NB-36H were essential for shielding the crew from the radiation emitted by the onboard nuclear reactor, not for visual inspection.
The nuclear reactor installed within the NB-36H weighed 35,000 pounds.
Answer: True
Explanation: The nuclear reactor installed in the NB-36H weighed 35,000 pounds (approximately 16,000 kg).
A tornado inflicted significant damage upon the specific B-36 bomber that was subsequently converted into the NB-36H.
Answer: True
Explanation: The airframe for the NB-36H originated from a Convair B-36 bomber that sustained substantial damage from a tornado at Carswell Air Force Base in 1952.
What was the principal objective of the Convair NB-36H aircraft?
Answer: To test radiation shielding for crews carrying an operational nuclear reactor.
Explanation: The primary objective of the Convair NB-36H was to serve as a testbed for evaluating radiation shielding for its crew while carrying an operational nuclear reactor.
How did the Convair NB-36H originate?
Answer: It was converted from a B-36 bomber damaged by a tornado.
Explanation: The Convair NB-36H originated from a B-36 bomber that had been significantly damaged by a tornado and was subsequently converted for the ANP program.
What modification was implemented in the crew section of the NB-36H to facilitate reactor testing?
Answer: It was replaced with a heavy, lead-lined section for radiation shielding.
Explanation: The original crew and avionics cabin was replaced with a heavy, lead-lined section specifically designed to provide radiation shielding for the crew.
What were the power output and weight specifications of the nuclear reactor carried by the NB-36H?
Answer: 1 megawatt, 16,000 kg
Explanation: The nuclear reactor installed in the NB-36H had a power output of 1 megawatt and weighed approximately 16,000 kg (35,000 pounds).
How was the nuclear reactor mounted on the NB-36H to facilitate testing and ensure safety?
Answer: Hung on a hook in the middle bomb bay for easy removal.
Explanation: The nuclear reactor was mounted on a hook within the middle bomb bay, enabling straightforward loading and unloading for testing and maintenance.
What was the wingspan measurement of the Convair NB-36H?
Answer: 230 feet 0 inches
Explanation: The wingspan of the Convair NB-36H was 230 feet 0 inches (70.10 meters).
The NB-36H was powered by a combination of turbojet engines and which type of piston engines?
Answer: Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radial
Explanation: The NB-36H was powered by a combination of turbojet engines and Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radial piston engines.
What was the approximate gross weight of the Convair NB-36H?
Answer: 162,305 kg
Explanation: The approximate gross weight of the Convair NB-36H was 162,305 kg (357,500 pounds).
What was the maximum speed achieved by the Convair NB-36H?
Answer: 420 mph
Explanation: The maximum speed of the Convair NB-36H was 420 mph (676 km/h, 360 kn).
Which of the following statements accurately describes the NB-36H?
Answer: An experimental aircraft carrying an active nuclear reactor for testing purposes.
Explanation: The NB-36H was an experimental aircraft specifically designed to carry an active nuclear reactor for testing purposes, primarily focusing on radiation shielding and operational feasibility.
The Convair X-6 was designated as the intended prototype for a fully operational nuclear-powered aircraft within the ANP program.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Convair X-6 was conceived as the prototype aircraft intended to demonstrate a fully functional nuclear-powered airplane under the ANP program.
The Convair X-6 was successfully constructed and subjected to testing as part of the ANP program.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Convair X-6, intended as the operational prototype, was never actually built or tested.
The ANP program represented a financial investment of approximately $1 billion over its 15-year duration.
Answer: True
Explanation: Over its 15-year development period, the ANP program incurred an estimated financial investment of approximately $1 billion.
What role was designated for the Convair X-6 within the ANP program?
Answer: It was the planned prototype for a fully functional nuclear-powered airplane.
Explanation: The Convair X-6 was designated as the planned prototype for a fully functional nuclear-powered airplane within the ANP program.
Which entity was responsible for the development of the Direct Air Cycle concept within the ANP program?
Answer: General Electric
Explanation: General Electric was the entity responsible for developing the Direct Air Cycle concept under the ANP program.
The Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion (ANP) program was preceded by the Nuclear Energy for the Propulsion of Aircraft (NEPA) project.
Answer: True
Explanation: The historical timeline indicates that the NEPA project served as the precursor to the broader Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion (ANP) program.
Project NEPA was initiated in 1951 by the United States Air Force.
Answer: False
Explanation: Project NEPA was initiated by the United States Army Air Forces on May 28, 1946, not in 1951 by the U.S. Air Force.
Which project served as the precursor to the Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion (ANP) program?
Answer: Nuclear Energy for the Propulsion of Aircraft (NEPA)
Explanation: The Nuclear Energy for the Propulsion of Aircraft (NEPA) project preceded the Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion (ANP) program.
In what year was Project NEPA initiated?
Answer: May 28, 1946
Explanation: Project NEPA was initiated on May 28, 1946.
The NB-36H completed more than 100 test flights throughout its operational tenure.
Answer: False
Explanation: The NB-36H completed a total of 47 test flights, not exceeding 100.
The nuclear reactor was active for less than 50% of the NB-36H's total flight duration.
Answer: True
Explanation: The NB-36H accumulated 215 hours of flight time, with the nuclear reactor being operated for 89 of those hours, which is less than half.
The test flights conducted with the NB-36H took place between the years 1955 and 1957.
Answer: True
Explanation: The operational period for the NB-36H's test flights spanned from September 17, 1955, to March 1957.
The NB-36H conducted its test flights exclusively within the airspace of the western United States.
Answer: False
Explanation: The test flights were not exclusively over the western U.S.; they were conducted over New Mexico and Texas.
What was the total number of test flights undertaken by the NB-36H?
Answer: 47
Explanation: The NB-36H completed a total of 47 test flights during its operational period.
Over which two U.S. states were the NB-36H's flight tests conducted?
Answer: New Mexico and Texas
Explanation: The flight tests for the NB-36H were conducted over the states of New Mexico and Texas.
What was the approximate total flight time accumulated by the NB-36H?
Answer: 215 hours
Explanation: The NB-36H accumulated approximately 215 hours of total flight time during its operational testing.
In which year did the NB-36H's operational testing phase conclude?
Answer: 1957
Explanation: The operational testing phase for the NB-36H concluded in 1957.
Project Halitosis served as the code name for the system tasked with monitoring radioactive gases emitted by the NB-36H's reactor.
Answer: True
Explanation: Project Halitosis was indeed the designated code name for the monitoring system responsible for tracking radioactive gases during the NB-36H's operations.
The NB-36H's testing phase indicated a substantial risk of radiation exposure for the crew.
Answer: False
Explanation: The tests concluded that the crew was not endangered by direct radiation exposure due to effective shielding; however, a risk of radioactive contamination in the event of an accident was identified.
What system was employed to monitor radioactive gases during the NB-36H's flights?
Answer: Project Halitosis
Explanation: Project Halitosis was the designated system used for monitoring radioactive gases emanating from the NB-36H's reactor during its flight tests.
What was identified as the primary safety concern during the NB-36H's test flights?
Answer: Potential for radioactive contamination in case of an accident.
Explanation: While direct radiation exposure to the crew was mitigated by shielding, the primary safety concern identified was the potential for radioactive contamination in the event of an aircraft accident.
Following its testing phase, the NB-36H was donated to a museum for preservation purposes.
Answer: False
Explanation: The NB-36H was not donated to a museum; after its testing concluded in 1957, it was decommissioned and subsequently scrapped at Carswell Air Force Base.
Research from the ANP project yielded no lasting benefits for other technological fields.
Answer: False
Explanation: Research from the ANP project did yield lasting benefits, particularly in developing improved methods for handling liquid metals and fused salts, which later contributed to NASA's nuclear reactor development.
The ANP program was terminated due to insufficient funding.
Answer: False
Explanation: The ANP program was not canceled due to a lack of funding; rather, its termination was influenced by factors such as shifting military priorities, advancements in missile technology, and the perceived redundancy of nuclear aircraft.
What was the disposition of the NB-36H following the conclusion of its testing phase in 1957?
Answer: It was scrapped at Carswell Air Force Base.
Explanation: After its testing concluded in 1957, the NB-36H was decommissioned and subsequently scrapped at Carswell Air Force Base, with its nuclear reactor being removed.
What constituted a significant reason cited for the cancellation of the ANP program?
Answer: Advancements in supersonic aviation and missiles made nuclear planes less relevant.
Explanation: A major reason cited for the ANP program's cancellation was the rapid advancement in supersonic aviation and missile technology, which diminished the perceived strategic necessity of nuclear-powered aircraft.
What lasting technological benefit emerged from the research conducted during the ANP project?
Answer: Improved methods for handling liquid metals and fused salts for NASA reactors.
Explanation: The ANP project's research yielded valuable advancements in methods for handling liquid metals and fused salts, which subsequently contributed to the development of nuclear generators and reactors utilized by NASA.
Which of the following factors was NOT cited as a reason for the cancellation of the ANP program?
Answer: The development of the supersonic Convair F-106 Delta Dart.
Explanation: The development of the supersonic Convair F-106 Delta Dart was not cited as a factor in the cancellation of the ANP program. Factors that were cited include advancements in missile technology, perceived redundancy of nuclear aircraft, and shifting military priorities.
President Eisenhower was a strong proponent for the continued development of the ANP program.
Answer: False
Explanation: President Eisenhower did not strongly advocate for the continuation of the ANP program; his administration viewed nuclear aircraft as a lower priority compared to other defense initiatives.
President John F. Kennedy issued the order to cancel the ANP program in 1961.
Answer: True
Explanation: President John F. Kennedy officially ordered the cancellation of the Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion (ANP) program in March 1961.
Which U.S. President is principally associated with the cancellation of the Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion (ANP) program?
Answer: John F. Kennedy
Explanation: President John F. Kennedy is the U.S. President associated with the cancellation of the ANP program in 1961.
What was the stated rationale behind President Kennedy's assessment that nuclear-powered aircraft remained 'very remote'?
Answer: 15 years of development yielding limited practical results.
Explanation: President Kennedy stated that nuclear-powered planes remained 'very remote' due to the limited practical results achieved despite 15 years of development and substantial investment.