from each detonation.
“i.
°
For this purpose, the aircraft were employed for
sampling, in conjuction with an RB-36 aircraft from which a scientific
team exercised control and direction of the sampling operation.
B.
AIRCRAFT EFFECTS TESTINGs
PROJECTS 6.2a and 6.2b
The aircraft effects program was conducted to determine the rela-
tive safety with which current operational types of delivery aircraft
could withstand hazards associated with detonation of weapons in the
megaton range.
A B-36D and a B~47 aircraft were used for this purpose.
These aircraft were positioned in space at points for which the anticipated levels of thermal radiation, the shock wave overpressure and gust
had previously been calculated.
Special instrumentation on these air
craft measured the actual input levels and recorded the resultant skin
temperature rises, together with structural stresses and deflections on
various portions of the aircraft.
The same B-36D used in IVY and UPSHOT/KNOTHOLE was used in the Pro~
ject 6.2a, to determine the blast and thermal effects on a B-36 in
flight.
SAC flew and maintained the aircraft and WADC vas given the job
of installation, maintenance and operation of the instrumentation, as
well as selection of the position of the aircraft in relation to the
shot at Time Zero,
To determine the thermal and blast inputs of the aircraft, measure-
ments were made of peak overpressure, thermal intensity, and the total
thermal energy.
The B-36) was also instrumented forthe measurement of
wing, stabilizer and fuselage bending moments, stabilizer shear forces,
fuselage and wing accelerations, skin temperature rise, and elevator
position.
mune
SS