Known disadvantages of high-dense α-U metal fuel (intense radiation growth and radiation swelling, poor compatibility with steel claddings) can be reduced to the minimum by "constructive" approaches based on mechanical restraint of radiation growth and swelling and also on application of protective layers on fuel columns and claddings. Effectiveness of these methods has been confirmed during irradiation of full-sized fuel pins with high-dense metal fuel (γ eff ≥12.5g h.a./cm 3 ) in the BOR-60 and BN-350 reactors.