During the Cold War, when the United States and the Soviet Union competed not only in the political arena but also in the development of the latest technologies, Americans launched a concept that could exceed any ideas about aviation. It is a legendary CL-15201 plane, which, although not built, would be the largest flying apparatus in history.
The CL-201 concept was developed by Lockheed Martin in the 1960s. With wingspan of more than 340 meters, this aircraft would become an absolute giant. For comparison, the largest aircraft in the world at the moment, Airbus A380, has a wingspan of about 80 meters. Imagine a plane that is several times larger than the most modern air -back!
This amazing aircraft was planned to be equipped with a nuclear reactor, which would allow virtually continuous flight for 41 days. Nuclear energy was to become a major source of energy for the Cl-201, which deprived it of the need for traditional fuel, which would be too expensive for such Mahina. The technical characteristics of this aircraft were impressed: the length of the CL-201 would be 170 meters, and the load capacity-up to 6,000 tons. The aircraft could accommodate from 400 to 845 people. Battle aircraft, such as F-4 Phantom II, as well as huge hangars for their storage and launch, would be on board.
The CL-1501 should be not only a combat aircraft carrier, but also a mobile team center for US troops. His ability to quickly change the location of the dislocation made it ideal for situations where access to naval or land forces would be blocked. This would allow the US to carry out military operations in any regions of the world, even in the event of a conflict with the Soviet Union. Despite all the ambitions, the implementation of such an aircraft faced numerous problems. The use of nuclear reactor has caused anxiety about the potential catastrophic consequences in the event of an accident or a plane. In addition, new materials that did not exist at that time were needed to ensure the necessary aerodynamics of the aircraft. Also, the cost of construction and operation of the CL-15201 would be enormous, and ultimately, the United States did not decide on its mass production. The idea of the CL-1501 is a vivid reflection of how the spirit of the Cold War was boundless. Engineers and strategists were ready to take the most risky steps to gain advantage with the Soviet Union. Now this aircraft seems like a fantastic idea, but in the 1960s it would be one of the biggest engineering achievements.
Although such concepts are already unlikely because of the development of new technologies and the change of strategic needs, the CL-1501 remains an important symbol of the Cold War and the reflection of America's ambitions of that time.
