In this situation thrust buildup is initiated normally and some movement away from the pad occurs, This movement causes the launch relay to
drop out, and the program timer is started and the flight sequence initiated.
However, the thrust is of insufficient magnitude or duration to move the
missile more than a few feet above the launch pad. The missile consequently
js not destroyed as it falls back at the termination of thrust, and the
electrical system continues to function, Detonation can occur when timed
signals are delivered to the warhead, provided they can pass through the
T~107 safing and arming device, The T-107 must malfunction in such a manner
that the guidance check function is bypassed and that the g-welght assumes
a position such that the detent associated with it is released. The effects
of fire in this situation are negligible, since the portions of the system
most likely to be affected by fire would have already operated normally.
The probability of a detonation in these circumstances is estimated to be
about 5 x 107
4.
Launching occurs and missile moves from the pad far enough so that
after thrust is terminated the electrical system will be destroyed on impact.
In this situation, the safety of the system is primarily a time
function, If the missile impacts before the weapon has had time to arm, the
impact forcesas will destroy the nuclear capability. If the missile flight
lasts long snough to guarantees a safe slant range from the launch point at
intended firing time, the explosion can oecur without danger to launch personnel., However, if the missile flight time falls between these limits, a
dangerous condition can exist. |
show the approximate slant range for bursts at the intended time plotted
against cutoff time. The safe cutoff time region on the left of each curve
represents the times for which the missile will impact before arming, assuming normal thrust or lesa to cutoff, The safe region on the right of each
curve represents the times for which the missile will be at a safe slant
range at the intended burst tims, assuming normal thrust or more to cutoff.
For the unsafe region between these two safe regiona, and for the
situation of subnormal thrust in the right hand region, the program timer
and the arming and fuazing timer will operate normally,
Detonation can occur
when signals are delivered to the warhead provided these signals can pass
through the T-107 safing and arming devices. The T~107 must malfunction in
such a manner that the guidance check funotion is by«passed. In addition,
the g-weight must assume a position such that the detent associated with
it is released.
The g-weight will assume this position normally if cutoff
occurs after 70 seconds,
result of a failures,
Prior to 70 seconds, it will occur only as the
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ATOMIC ENERGY ACT 1954
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