Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, both USA and Soviet experimented with nuclear powered planes during the 60s. The problem was how to shield the pilots from radioactivity. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear-powered_aircraft They also experimented with nuclear powered drones. https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/research/a33565112... And Russia now claims to have a nuclear engine that can make a cruise missile fly for days. https://en.wik…
What if there were a reactor type which would require no, or much less shielding because all it emits is mostly hard ultraviolet light? [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_lightbulb
I read that as using UV light to transfer energy to the working fluid, not that the actual nuclear reaction itself would be any different to any other nuclear reactor.