Performance Parameters Pertinent to Nuclear Powered Aircraft

A review of the present design information and studies relating to nuclear power plants indicates that the weight of the power plant components, exclusive of crew shield and nacelles, may at a particular design point be represented by an equation of the form, W{subpp} = W{subo} + K{subt}T. By use of this, a power plant parameter psi is defined as the ratio of the part of the power plant plus nacelle weight that varies with thrust to the net thrust of the power plant less nacelle drag. The funamentall part that this parameter plays in determining the gross weight of a nuclaer powered aircraft is shown. This parameter depends on the design point Mach number and altitude, and the weight and drag increments attributable to the nacelle installation