129

Ill

The sampling Klement also functioned as an administrative group

headquarters for the Test Aircraft Unit.
The Air Force effects Klement used a B-52 aircraft from sarignttatterson Air Force Base in the pursuit of its mission,

This slement

was manned, trained, and equipped by wrignt Air Development Center.
The objective of the 3-52 effects program, formally called rroject
5.1, was to determine the capability of tne B52 aircraft for muitiple
aircraft strikes, as well as to verify or modify certain weapons de~
livery criteria and techniques.

To achieve the objective, the struc-

tural responses of a B52, when carrying full 3,000~gallon external

"

fuel tanks, were measured when the aircraft was subjected to symmetrical
and asymmetrical blast and thermal eifects from nuclear explosions.

Data accumulated for the primary objective were also to be useful for
the determination of modifications pertinent to the improvement of B-52

nuclear weapon delivery capabilities, and for the related research for
the design of future military aircraft.
The 5-52 employed during HARDTACK was structurally identical to the
aircraft used in Uperation ReDwlNG, with the exceotion that two 3,000gallon external wing tanks had been added,

During niDWING, all tests of

the BeS52 were conducted from a symmetrical tail-on position,

The sside=

Peua tests, therefore, differed from the nsDaiNG tests on J-52 aircraft
in that the HanuT.Cé tests in tne main involved asymmetrical, esseciully

AFWL/ HQ

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