TES-3 – transportable nuclear power plant mounted on self-propelled tracked vehicles

Until the mid-1950s, scientists and engineers at Obninsk Institute of Physics Power Engineering (IPPE) had worked out a number unique projects that served as foundation for development domestic world nuclear power engineering. The list these includes, in particular, TES-3, first mobile plant, which has become symbol small-scale engineering, historical achievement Russian scientists, part heritage City Peaceful Atom. demonstration experimental being one possible sources remote areas, was power-generating unit consisting four tracked platforms with reactor equipped water-cooled water-moderated 1.5 MW turbogenerator. “self-propelled uranium-fueled machine” created record-breaking time due to scale cooperation project participants under scientific guidance Laboratory V staff. plant showed reliability operation, good controllability, safety maintainability. Over entire operating period generation mode, TES-3 about 1300 hours without any radiation accidents. After completion fuel campaign 1965, shut down, but idea low-capacity large-component plants further developed form next generation.