The Nuclear Powered Flying Aircraft Attack Carrier - Never Built CL-1201

Summary

The video explores the CL-1201, a colossal aircraft designed by Lockheed in 1969 for the U.S. Air Force, capable of carrying thousands of troops and fighter jets while flying for 41 days without landing. Amid Cold War tensions, the aircraft aimed to project military power globally, utilizing nuclear propulsion and innovative vertical takeoff technology. Despite its ambitious design and immense capacity, challenges like runway requirements and missile defense led to its cancellation. The video speculates on a possible connection between the CL-1201 and the infamous Phoenix Lights UFO sightings, prompting viewers to consider the mysteries surrounding this unrealized project.

Takeaways

• 😀 The CL-1201 was a giant aircraft designed by Lockheed in 1969 for the U.S. Air Force to carry 3,000 troops and deploy 22 fighter jets.
• 😀 The aircraft was nuclear-powered with a reactor providing 1.83 gigawatts, allowing it to fly for up to 41 days without landing.
• 😀 Its wingspan was 1,120 feet, and its length was 560 feet, making it larger than the Chrysler Building in New York.
• 😀 The CL-1201 could carry 10 to 12 million pounds of cargo, including military equipment and aircraft.
• 😀 The aircraft had two versions: the attack aircraft carrier (CL-1201-1) and the logistical support aircraft (CL-1201-3).
• 😀 The attack version would serve as a command center and deploy fighter bombers, long-range missiles, and support troops.
• 😀 The logistical version (LSA) could carry 400 troops and 1,150 tons of equipment, delivering supplies via medium intra-theater transport planes.
• 😀 The aircraft was designed to take off vertically like a Harrier jet, using a massive number of turbojet engines for lift.
• 😀 A nuclear reactor with a 20-foot radiation shield would ensure crew safety while keeping the plane operational for long periods.
• 😀 Despite the aircraft's groundbreaking design, it was never built due to cost, technical challenges, and feasibility issues, although some suggest it might have been secretly constructed.

Q & A

What was the main objective of the CL-1201 project?

The main objective of the CL-1201 project was to design a massive aircraft that could carry 3,000 troops, launch 22 fighter jets, and fly for 41 days without landing, to project military power abroad.

What unique challenges did the designers face with the CL-1201?

Designers faced challenges such as creating a powerful enough nuclear reactor, determining how the aircraft could take off, and ensuring its massive size could be managed effectively during operations.

What were the dimensions of the CL-1201?

The CL-1201 was designed to have a wingspan of 1,120 feet and a length of 560 feet, with an interior space of 2 million cubic feet.

How much weight was the CL-1201 expected to carry?

The CL-1201 was estimated to carry between 10 million to 12 million pounds (approximately 5,400 tons) of troops and equipment.

How would the CL-1201 be powered?

The CL-1201 was intended to be nuclear-powered, featuring a reactor that would provide 1.83 gigawatts of power, allowing for extended flight without refueling.

What were the two primary versions of the CL-1201, and what were their roles?

The two primary versions were the CL-1201-1, an Attack Aircraft Carrier capable of carrying 24 fighter bombers, and the CL-1201-3, a Logistical Support Aircraft designed to transport troops and equipment.

How was the CL-1201 designed to deploy troops?

Troops would be deployed via converted Boeing 707s that could dock mid-flight with the CL-1201 to transport them to drop zones.

What was a major flaw related to the takeoff of the CL-1201?

A major flaw was that existing runways were insufficient for the enormous size of the aircraft, prompting the design to include vertical takeoff capabilities.

What defensive measures were proposed for the CL-1201?

The CL-1201 was to be equipped with laser cannons and point defense systems to intercept and destroy incoming missiles.

What speculation arose about the CL-1201 in relation to the Phoenix Lights incident?

Some speculate that the Phoenix Lights, a widely sighted UFO incident in 1997, could have been linked to the CL-1201 due to descriptions of a large, V-shaped object in the sky that resembled the aircraft.