Tupolev Tu-95LAL
| Tu-95LAL | |
|---|---|
| The Tu-95LAL test aircraft. The bulge in the fuselage aft of the wing covers the reactor. | |
| General information | |
| Type | Experimental nuclear aircraft |
| Manufacturer | Tupolev |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| First flight | 1961 |
| Developed from | Tupolev Tu-95 |
The Tupolev Tu-95LAL experimental aircraft (Russian: Летающая Атомная Лаборатория, romanized: Letayushchaya Atomnaya Laboratoriya, lit. 'flying atomic laboratory') which flew from 1961 to 1965 was a modified Tupolev Tu-95 Soviet bomber aircraft, analogous to the United States' earlier Convair NB-36H. It was intended to see whether a nuclear reactor could be used to power an aircraft, primarily testing airborne operation of a reactor and shielding for components and crew. The reactor did not actually power the aircraft.