Kinnaird McKee, USN (Ret.), former Director of Navy Nuclear Propulsion.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

Nuclear propulsion systems may offer a less costly alternative.

FORBES

For one thing, the United States would be mad to permit Soviet intelligence into its facilities involved in one of the few remaining areas of militarily decisive technological advantage: naval nuclear propulsion.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center for Security Policy | ��The Limitation Of Nuclear Materials As A Means Of Controlling Armaments��

Unfortunately, the easiest way to make a more efficient engine, nuclear-electric propulsion, is controversial.

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It will also have a life-of-ship nuclear core for its propulsion system designed to last 40 years, which means no mid-life refueling will be required.

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Blunk, 26, had served on the aircraft carrier the USS Nimitz for more than six years, working with the boilers and propulsion systems of the nuclear-powered vessel, and hoped to re-enlist in the military, according to his grandparents Thomas and Kay Blunk of Central, Texas, outside Lufkin.

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While the ship will not travel at warp speed, with an ion propulsion engine powered by a 1.5GW nuclear reactor, it can travel at a constant acceleration so that the ship can easily get to key points of interest in our solar system.

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