What might potentially go wrong for a tank equipped with its own nuclear power source? Chrysler aimed to discover.
Put this one in the category of “More Unbelievable 1950s Cold War Technology.” TheChrysler TV-8 tankstands as one of the boldest (and absurd) creations in the annals of armored vehicle engineering.
Born in the 1950s, an era defined by swift technological progress and fear of the Cold War, the TV-8 was a bold effort to reshape the concept of the tank. Created as anuclear-powered, amphibious, and extremely adaptable mid-sized tank, the TV-8 appeared as if it came from a future that blendedThe Jetsons with Mad Max.
As the Cold War intensified, the United States Army aimed to develop advanced armored vehicles. The threat of nuclear conflict was a constant concern for those in charge at the Pentagon. Most military leaders did not think the United States would avoid a nuclear war with the Soviet Union.
Due to this mindset, military strategists looked for vehicles able to function in regions affected by nuclear warfare—places filled with not just enemy forces, but also tainted by radiation, chemical substances, and biological threats.
Furthermore, the US Army sought tanks capable of navigating different types of terrain, such as rivers and coastal regions, and offering assistance in amphibious missions. Amidst this bleak scenario, Chrysler, a prominent American car manufacturer with a significant background in defense contracts, introduced the TV-8 as part ofthe Army’s ASTRON program.
The “Floating” Tank
A mid-sized tank, weighing around 25 tons, with a crew of four, the TV-8’s most notable characteristic was its pod-shaped design, which included a completely enclosed turret that contained the crew, weapons, and engine—all placed on a light frame. This turret had the ability to float and move through water independently.
TV-8’s configuration, in contrast to traditional tanks of that time, featured a single, unified upper section. The turret had an oval shape, with a curved, armored casing meant to deflect enemy fire and endure the stresses of underwater operations.
The gun mount would have been fitted with a90mm T208 smoothbore gun, along with additional weapons, such as two .30-caliber machine guns and a remotely controlled .50-caliber machine gun positioned on top. The turret was placed on a tracked vehicle, although the tracks were fairly light, since the tank’s ability to operate in water diminished the necessity for heavy armor on the lower part of the hull.
The turret of the TV-8 was sealed to avoid water ingress during operations that involve crossing water. This configuration allowed the TV-8 to remain afloat, with its tracks offering minimal movement on land and jet pumps handling propulsion when in water.
American military strategists were fixated on landing operations because it wasassumed that significant fighting with the Soviet Red Armywould take place in Europe, where rivers shape the landscape. Another region of involvement against the communist block would have been in Asia, which also contains many important water routes.
Since Chrysler engineers anticipated the TV-8’s use in a nuclear conflict, they designed the turret with an airtight seal to provide enhanced protection for the crew against potential contamination from nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) threats. A closed-circuit television system enabled the crew to monitor their environment without exposing themselves to outside dangers. This is why Chrysler labeled their unusual tank as “TV.”
Most fascinatingly, Chrysler suggested using a nuclear fission reactor as the tank’s power source. Chrysler imagined a vapor-cycle nuclear reactor to supply energy for the vehicle, producing electricity that would operate electric motors, enabling the tank to move across land and water.
This system offered multiple benefits: a nuclear reactor could, in theory, supply almost limitless range, reducing the necessity for regular refueling, and it would enable the tank tooperatein polluted environments without depending on outside air for combustion engines.
In water, the TV-8 would utilize jet pumps driven by the same electric motors, allowing it to move through rivers, lakes, or coastal areas effortlessly.
The TV-8’s Downsides
Although it had a groundbreaking design, the TV-8 encountered major challenges during its development that eventually resulted in its termination. The primary issue was its own small nuclear power source. Whilenuclear energyhas always shown potential, the technology was still in its early stages during the 1950s. A nuclear reactor compact enough to be placed inside a 25-ton tank presented significant engineering difficulties, such as safety concerns, radiation protection, and maintenance problems.
In the event of a reactor malfunction or damage from combat, the outcome could be extremely severe, leading to potentially harmful radiation releases that would put both the crew and surrounding forces at risk.
That means not even considering the significant logistical challenges that would come with supporting and recharging nuclear-powered vehicles in the field.
Then there was the buoyant turret, which, despite being unique and innovative, actually reduced armor thickness, resulting in the tank being less protected against standard anti-tank attacks. The use of electric motors, although progressive, sparked worries regarding dependability and power compared to conventional diesel or gasoline engines.
Lower-cost and More Efficient Tanks Existed
Furthermore, the tank’s 90mm gun, although sufficient for its era, was not notably better thanexisting tanks like the M48 Patton. This led to doubts about whether the TV-8’s complexity was warranted for its combat function.
The most critical factor was the expense. The TV-8’s cutting-edge technology, especially its nuclear reactor and ability to operate in water, would have resulted in a very costly system, with no assurance that these tanks would function as intended, as previously mentioned. The Pentagon concluded that the TV-8 was excessively risky and expensive, making it unsuitable for any strategic benefit.
The Chrysler TV-8 never progressed past the conceptual prototype phase. By 1956, the Army determined that the tank’s technical difficulties and expenses were greater than its possible advantages. The initiative was then put on hold. The TV-8’s impact lies in its predictive nature.
Its emphasis on crew protection from NBC threatsFor instance, it foretold the emergence of contemporary tanks equipped with enhanced filtration and sealing mechanisms. The application of closed-circuit television systems served as a forerunner to the complex sensors and optics present in today’s tanks.
Author Bio: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Correspondent atThe National Interestas well as a writer forPopular Mechanics, regularly advises different government agencies and private entities on geopolitical matters. Weichert’s articles have been featured in several publications, includingThe Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, The Asia Times, and many more. His books includeVictory in Space: How the United States Maintains Its Status as a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Competition to Control Life, and The Shadow Conflict: Iran’s Pursuit of Dominance. His latest book, A Catastrophe of Our Own Creation: How the West Lost Ukraine, is available for purchase at all book retailers. He can be followed on Twitter.@WeTheBrandon.
Image: Suvit Topaiboon / Shutterstock.com.
