CHAPTER 1
DEVICES TESTED
1.1
MIKE DEVICE
1.1.1
Objective of Detonation
The objective of Mike Shot was to test, by actual detonation, the theory of design for a
thermonuclear reaction on a large scale, the results of which test could be used to design,
test, and produce stockpile thermonuclear weapons.
1.1.4
Yield
In order to be assured that a thermonuclear reaction progressed to a desired magnitude,
the Mike device was essentially overdesigned. The yield of this device is considered to be
within the range of 6 to 12 Mt. A better yield figure is not available at the date of writing,
pending a more complete analysis of test data.*f
*Application of the LASL analytic solution method to the EG&G photographic data has reSulted in thefollowing aa the fireball yield figure as of May 15, 1953: Mike, 11 +1 Mt; King,
550 + 20 kt.
tSee note on p. 14.