These were 5 outrageous uses of nuclear power during the Cold War

As World War II ended, the world entered the nuclear age. It was a time of great innovation with nuclear energy being used in different applications.

Some applications were highly successful, but others never got off the ground. Today, we want to celebrate the weirdest uses of nuclear power. 

The Davy Crockett nuclear rifle

Spurred by the Soviet Union’s creation of a nuclear weapon, America began to design and build newer, smaller nuclear options. One of the smallest was the Davy Crockett Weapon System. 

The Davy Crockett nuclear recoilless rifle was a crew-served weapon that could be packed onto a jeep and easily transported to and from preselected launch sights. Depending on the model, the rifle would launch a nuclear round up to 2.5 miles away.

Although they were highly portable, the rifles were to be used at pre-plotted spots. For example, if the Soviets were to come driving over the Fulda Gap, a preplanned number of Davy Crockett rifle rounds would be coming their way.

It’s been reported that the weapon would kill the crew, but according to the Army, that wasn’t true if it was used correctly. However, the crew was advised to hide at the bottom end of a hill and cover their heads and neck. These weapons were produced, issued, and fielded but never used in combat.  

The chicken-powered nuclear land mine

After World War II, the British learned that their precious island was in a perilous position. The best defense is a good offense, so they planned to place tactical nuclear Blue Peacock landmines on the North German Plain. This way, should the Soviets come rushing into Europe, their men and tanks would be at the mercy of the nuclear land mine. 

Yet, the problem the British encountered was that the North German Plain got extremely cold – cold enough to stop the devices from working. In response, one outrageous idea that was proposed was to put chickens with food and water inside the casing of the nuclear mines, so their body heat would keep the mines functioning.

The whole idea was so unbelievable that once the project was declassified the public thought it was an elaborate April Fool’s joke. 

Related: The weird and experimental aircraft guns of World War I

Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter

Nowadays drones have revolutionized warfare and become the dragon of medieval times. However, drones aren’t all that new. In fact, in 1962, the United States Navy fielded the Gyrodyne QH-50 Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter (DASH).

As its name indicates, the DASH system was a drone helicopter that hunted submarines. The concept was simple and would allow the Navy to attack enemy submarines with ease. Enemy subs wouldn’t know they were being attacked until the torpedo entered the water.

The DASH system could fly up to 22 miles from a ship and deliver a number of munitions, including the MK 57 nuclear bomb. 

For most of its lifespan, DASH lacked cameras, so the pilot had to, basically, do the math and calculate the distance, bearing, and speed to figure out where the drone was. Further, DASH had problems with its FM controls and experienced electronic failures, with more than half of the units crashing causing the Navy to kill the program. The remaining DASHes would be allocated to various non-offense uses. 

Project Orion 

Project Orion was an example of nuclear power being used to further mankind rather than smash it back to the Stone Age.

The project would use nuclear explosions to propel spacecraft farther into space. Moon missions? Easy. Mars? We could make it! Alpha Centauri? Maybe!

Still, imagine being the astronaut who is tasked with strapping into a nuclear explosion-powered rocket while being aimed straight toward space.

Project Orion never left the ground floor, much less low-earth orbit.  

Related: Project Horizon: Nukes and shotguns on the moon

Chrysler TV 8 Tank

The design for the Chrysler TV 8 tank was developed in the 1950s.

The tank could be powered by a nuclear or petrol engine. Backed by two water pumps, the TV 8 could also be fully amphibious if necessary. Additionally, the tank’s bulbous design was intentional and allowed the system to float on water.

The Chrysler TV 8 Tank packed a punch with two .30-caliber machine guns, one .50-caliber machine gun, and a 90 smoothbore gun. The TV 8 housed a crew of four: a driver, gunner, loader, and commander. The crew drove the tank via a closed-circuit TV screen.

The TV-8 never entered production but lives in my dreams.

Feature Image: A Davy Crockett Weapon System at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, 1961. (Wikimedia Commons)

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