Life Inside A TV-8 Nuclear Tank

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Published on March 21, 2025 9:00:07 PM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43VCNonw6FA

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During the Cold War, engineers dreamed of nuclear-powered tanks—leading to the Chrysler TV-8. This radical design promised infinite range but had major flaws: radiation risks, weight issues, and battlefield hazards. Though innovative, it remained a prototype and was ultimately scrapped. Was the TV-8 a groundbreaking idea or a disaster waiting to happen?

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Further Reading:

Zhou, Zheng. Chrysler TV-8. Tanks-encyclopedia.com. January 3, 2024. https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/chrysler-tv-8/#google_vignette

Nye, Logan. This was Chrysler’s Nuclear Powered Tank. WeAreTheMighty.com. Last updated December 19, 2022. https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/nuclear-weapons-chrysler-tv8-tank/

Chrysler TV-8. Militaryfactory.com. September 25, 2018. https://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.php?armor_id=991

Sachek, Richard. The Story Behind Chrysler’s Nuclear Tank That Never Was. Slashgear.com. September 15, 2023. https://www.slashgear.com/1394150/story-behind-chrysler-nuclear-tank/

Hunnicutt, R. P. Abrams: A History of the American Main Battle Tank. Echo Point Books & Media. Pages 33-42.

Trakimavičius, Lukas. (2021). The Future Role of Nuclear Propulsion in the Military.


Timestamps:
Intro: (00:00)
Development: (00:30)
Propulsion: (01:39)
Design: (03:00)
Dimensions: (03:48)
Armament: (05:19)
Armor: (06:29)
Crew: (07:09)
Flaws: (07:53)
Outro: (10:34)

Credit:
Simple History Creator: Daniel Turner (B.A. (Hons) in History, University College London)
Video Directors: Lav Velimirovic, Ognjen Jovic
Script: Jake Leigh-Howarth
Script Review: Peter Turner
Narrator: Chris Kane (https://vocalforge.com/)
Artists: Fiona Phan, Selma Belegic
Animators: Nancy Bhalla, Krishna, Guillermo G. Caasi. Jr, Ravina Bheda, Rommel Ponferrada
Editor: Artem Dobrohodov, James Dowse
Thumbnails: Fiona Phan
Brand Partnerships: Justin St-Laurent
Senior Production Manager: Umar Ijaz
Simple History Channel Manager: James Dowse