Project Pluto Nuclear Engine
Sector: Aerospace & Defense • Location: Nevada desert, Nevada, United States
Source: CPG Click Oil and Gas
Project Pluto was a Cold War-era U.S. program to develop a nuclear-powered supersonic cruise missile engine. The nuclear ramjet engine, specifically the Tory II-C reactor, was tested successfully in the Nevada desert, demonstrating stable operation at high power and the ability to sustain Mach 3 flight without refueling. Despite technical success, the project was canceled due to radiological risks
- Status
- Closed
- Sector
- Aerospace & Defense, Nuclear, Government, Oil and Gas, Power Generation (CCGT)
- Location
- Nevada desert, Nevada, United States of America
- Updated
- 22 Jul 2026
- Source
- CPG Click Oil and Gas
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Project Information
Participants
| Not available for this record. |
Status
Original status | cancelled |
Taiyo status | Closed |
Taiyo last update | 2026-07-22 |
Contact
| Not available for this record. |
Description
Description | Project Pluto was a Cold War-era U.S. program to develop a nuclear-powered supersonic cruise missile engine. The nuclear ramjet engine, specifically the Tory II-C reactor, was tested successfully in the Nevada desert, demonstrating stable operation at high power and the ability to sustain Mach 3 flight without refueling. Despite technical success, the project was canceled due to radiological risks, operational infeasibility, and strategic shifts favoring ICBMs. |
Original sector | Military |
Location
Country | United States of America (USA) |
State | Nevada |
City | Nevada desert |
Source
Source | CPG Click Oil and Gas |
URL |
More Details
Record type | Project |
Sector | Aerospace & Defense, Nuclear, Government, Oil and Gas, Power Generation (CCGT) |
Article published date | 2026-07-18 |
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