[NorthMountain]

The USAF experimented with a nuclear-powered bomber.

The "Project Pluto/Phoenix" nuclear ramjet engine worked. It was also very dirty. It never flew. They did fly a reactor as a test.

The real problem I see with this lovely aircraft in the OP is that we still don't have a working fusion reactor on the ground ...

[Army Air Corps]

The "Project Pluto/Phoenix" nuclear ramjet engine worked. It was also very dirty. It never flew. They did fly a reactor as a test.

Yes, it did work. I like the very idea of a nuclear ramjet aircraft dropping H-bombs. If you are going to nuke someone, go all the way. :-)

we still don't have a working fusion reactor on the ground ...

Tiny details. ;-)