A followup to “New for 1961: The Nuclear Outboard Motor” where the General Electric 601B self-contained nuclear marine propulsion pod was described. General Electric described possible applications for the pod:
Fletcher class destroyer escorts could be equipped with four 601B pods. This would provide 60,000 shp and would weigh 240 tons… replacing the 1600-ton conventional propulsion system and fuel. From 700 to 1300 tons of additional military payload could be carried, with a top speed of 35 knots. While this is a knot and change slower than standard, it could keep this up without refueling for, theoretically, a number of months.
Submarines could also be refitted with the nuclear pods. The Skipjack class was studied… specifically the USS Scorpion. By removing the interior propulsion system and adding two 601B nuclear pods, the Scorpion would reduce system weight by 550 tons, while providing 15,000 shp. The total power could be doubled with weight increasing only from 215 tons to 245 tons.
