Nuclear Engine Air Power
This working paper has been prepared by the Air Power Development Centre to explore possibilities for nuclear-engine air power. A nuclear incident in Russia, in August 2019, put the spotlight on a possible nuclear-propelled missile that was first publicly revealed by Russia's President Putin during his 2018 State of the Nation address to the Russian Federal Assembly in the Kremlin. This publication will inform air power practitioners about the general characteristics, history, prospects, and risks of nuclear-engines and aid their understanding of the potentially disruption effects to Australian air and space power. This publication does not suggest that Australia should consider changing its attitude or position on nuclear weapons. The current national policy position is that, "Australia does not possess any nuclear weapons and is not seeking to become a nuclear weapons state. Australia's core obligations as a non-nuclear weapon state are set out in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. This includes a solemn undertaking not to acquire nuclear weapons."
Print Book, English, 2020
Air Power Development Centre, Canberra Bc, ACT, 2020