re: #171 Shiplord Kirel, Friend of Moose and Squirrel

There has been some recent work on nuclear-thermal rockets but that is a whole different animal from the nuclear ramjet. It really is rocket surgery, though, so trying to explain the distinction to Cheeto would be like trying to teach a pig to sing (as Heinlein readers will recognize.)

What is the point of these anyway, I mean given modern miniaturized warheads? The increase in payload just doesn’t seem necessary or worth the obvious downside risk. For one thing, a nuclear rocket or nuclear ramjet cruise missile is intrinsically a dirty nuclear weapon, even if you strap a conventional bomb to it. Whereas a conventional rocket or missile is a dual use platform.

I do not fucking get it.