Soviet nuclear-powered all-terrain vehicle
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Soviet nuclear-powered all-terrain vehicle

Building a power plant is a troublesome and expensive business, especially in hard-to-reach areas. “Why not bring it there?” the engineers thought and began developing a project for a mobile nuclear power plant. A working prototype was ready in 1960. It was proposed to equip the unique TEST-3 unit with a caterpillar track, turning the station into cross-country vehicle. Now, regardless of its geographical location, the unit could operate autonomously for at least 250 days. One and a half megawatts of electricity produced during this time would be enough to operate a large plant or residential settlement. There was no need to build additional structures: the entire structure was located on four all-terrain vehicles that worked in a joint.

Tractors had a powerful 750-horsepower diesel engine. A wide caterpillar belt complemented the overall picture. The first of them was used to install a nuclear reactor with a complex of service systems. The rest were: a volume compensator, steam generators, circulation pumps, a turbogenerator and a central control room. Harmful radiation was supposed to be delayed by high earthen ramparts and concrete walls. By 1965, they completed the entire test cycle, but the launch into production never happened. The system was temporarily frozen. In 1985, TEST-3 was remembered, suggesting the use of an all-terrain vehicle with a turbogenerator in Kamchatka. But due to design flaws in the turbine, it had to be disposed of after 20 years. We invite you to find out interesting facts about the mobile power plant by watching the video from the TECHNO TV channel.
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