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distributed-load or conventional calibration procedure. Technical assistance was provided by personnel from the Cook Research Laboratories,
Inc., who were also responsible for reduction of the calibration data.
2.2
SELECTION OF AIRCRAFT AND INPUT LEVELS
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This work was conducted as a part of the over-all problem of determining delivery capabilities of bombardment aircraft. In particular,
it was concerned with feasibility studies relative to the delivery of
high yield nuclear weapons.
ene
wey
we
The actual weapons had not as yst been
ae
a
eos
an
developed for air delivery purposes at, the time the test aircraft were
being selected. Aircraft considered were limited to those which, from
preliminary estinates of probable over-all bomb size, could accommodate
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the megaton yield weapons being developed. In the planning stages of
this experiment available information indicated the present B-36 air
craft would be capable of carrying bombs of the megaton yield range,
ability to deliver this weapon safely was not known. The
B47 aircraft or a B-50 aircraft to accommodate a weapon
appeared doubtful. Consideration of the operational capB-50 aircraft suggested it was unlikely this type aircraft
t
would be utilized for delivery of high yield weapons. In view of the
above, plus the fact that structural response data had been obtained on
B50 aircraft during GREENHOUSE and was to be supplemented during
-
UPSHOT-XNOTHOLE, it was decided to exclude the B-50 aircraft.
of the mission with due regard for crew safety.
In determining the
danger regions for manned aircraft, five weapon effects must be considered.
1,
Zz.
3.
&.
5.
These may se summarized as follows:
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a Oe
f..
.
for positioniny the aircraft at the optimum locetion for the accomplish-
ment
e
oo
strumer+>*ion program as was designed for the 5-34 aircraft.
The primary consideration in the selection of input levels was
personnel safety. During IVY the weapons Effects Element was responsible
.
tet ete
budget and manpower considerations would not allow as complete an in-
Ao
fe ta
Because of the major role assigned 8-36 aircraft in the over-all
war plan and because of the probability 8-36 aircraft can carry and
deliver high yield bombs, highest priority was given to determining the
maximum delivery capaoilities of 5-36 aircraft. It was considered desirable to include also a Bei7 aircraft in the program even though
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et
although its
ability of a
of this size
abilities of
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wpecy mee
Direct camma rediation
Thermal radiation from the fireball
Gamma radiation and turbulence within the cloud
Overpressure of the shock wave
Material velocity (gust) of the shock wave
Aircraft maneuvers were designed so that thermal and blast inputs
received would ce similar to those that would ce experienced on a straight
and level flight bombing run. Based upon the above flight configuration,
calculations were made as to the minimum safe distance for each of the
two aircraft at detonation time and shock arrival. Preliminary analysis
at
-*,
e
.
showed that the Limiting criterion was either the temnerature rise of
the sxin or the -ust-induced structural loads, Maximum allowacle skin
tem erature rises, cet by the University of Califcrnia, at Los Angeles
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