a
4.11
TASK UNIT 11, UCRL ASSEMBLY A
TU-11 was formedefrom a group of engineers and physicists to pro-
vide a fieldd capability for assembling and detonating (he
:
ewe
They were members of the UCRL small weapons progra
who were ‘also responsible for the original design and fabrication of the
three devices. A design and assembly team accompanied each device to
the PPG. The use of C-124 aircraft for the transportation of the devices
to Eniwetok allowed a maximum time for design and fabrication at Livermore and cessee at PPG.
ayeoraa were fabricated by the Hanford
— Rocky lata Plant.
were fabricated at the Dow Chemical Com-
Owing to the relatively
small size of the detonations associated with
ee
oo
wasthere were no delays caused by weather and the
respective detonations occurred on the scheduled days: May 28, June 14,
and June 22, 1956,
i
: an
for the §
of UCRL.
4.12
we
ao
wae
=the assembly mission
as ‘accomplished asa
a
joint effort of TU-11 and TU-12
detonated on July 3, 1956.
TASK UNIT 12, UCRL ASSEMBLY B
The prime function of TU"12 wing the Geld assembl of the Ja ge de-
vices
Fi
Sas as
ore
ea
oa
Ee
TheTask Unit wae made up of “A Division(L.
(Large.Weapons) amd Device
Engineering Division personnel who were thoroughly familiar with the de-
vices from having followed them through their design and fabrication phases.
These men were further subdivided into device assembly teams under the
immediate control of the lead engineer for the particular device. This
proved to be a highly workable system.
Full trial assembly of each device was made in the U. S. The only
compromise was that dummy primaries were used in these "fit-ups." This
assembly included matching support stand and local diagnostic equipment to
the device. On some devices it proved desirable to airship jigs, representing, and connecting points between, the device and external equipment tied
to the device, to PPG to facilitate early completion of field diagnostic work.
Another technique of value was the shipping of the devices in a nearly
assembled condition -- that is, for shipment after final stateside assembly
each device was broken down as little as possible. This enabled a rapid
- 158 -
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