Ross Gunn and NRL’s Early Research into Nuclear Propulsion 1939 – 1946

The United States Navy’s development of a nuclear powered submarine is generally associated with Admiral Hyman Rickover’s post-World War II initiative. What many are unaware of is that the Navy’s research into the use of nuclear power predates Rickover’s work by almost ten years, and the creation of the Manhattan Engineering District by three years. This article recounts in Dr. Gunn (technical director NRL) contributions in these efforts from 1939-1946.