Chapter 4 SUMMARY OF TASK UNIT ACTIVITIES 4.1 TASK UNIT 1, LASL PROGRAMS The function of TU-1 was to carry out experiments designed to measure certain properties of the LASL-designed weapons and nuclear devices, to measure certain physical quantities of fundamental importance to weapon de- sign, and to study the physics underlying certain effects produced by nuclear weapons or devices, The techniques used to make the measurements are outlined briefly in Sec. 2.2. They are described in more detail in the pre- operational and technical reports of the various programs. The use of barges as firing points for most of the LASL shots, together with the capability of using two firing sites concurrently, made possible a speed-up in the firing schedule over previous operations and greatly simplified operational problems. For the more remote land sites and barge operations,. the flexibility provided to experimental groups by the use of houseboats proved very advantageous. Helicopter and boat transportation were generally good. The radiation safety problem was well handled and caused little incon- venience to the scientific, personnel during the operation. Radio and telephone communications were generally good, and service was very prompt when units became defective. The high speed computing facility was very useful to TU-1 experimenters and theoreticians. It was a marked advantage to be able to reduce data promptly in the field without laborious hand calculations and to recompute problems as new data became available. Adequate time was available on the machine for TU-1 purposes. It was very satisfactory to have an engineering group available in the field to reconcile and coordinate individual experimental construction requirements up to shot time. The J-7 unit was particularly useful when new shots were added during the series. The photographic requirements of TU-1 were efficiently handled, and, in addition, Graphic Arts was able to assist other task units on special problems. It is recommended that the J-1, J-3, J-4, and J-6 Sections of TG 7.1 continue to handle the requirements of TU-1 directly rather than duplicate their functions in the TU-1 organization. 118