firing and assembly equipment. Electrical equipment for oth checkout and
firing was purchased as regular device components or designed and fabricated
by project personnel. Nuclear components were obtained from standard production through the AEC.
One of the major phases of the project's activities was coordination
with DOD agencies and other support groups to devise a workable emplace-

ment and firing system.

This included taking part in various conferences

and tests from the initial planning stages through preliminary sea trials of
the suspension system and dry run activities prior to detonation. Checkout
and assembly were completed prior to placing the devices in firing position.
The device case and underwater signal cables were water-pressure tested
before acceptance from the manufacturer. The electrical equipment for firing

was tested on numerous dry runs for satisfactory operation.

The two devices

were detonated satisfactorily without any major difficulties or delays. Some
trouble was encountered on the Wahoo event from fairly rough seas which
made the zero instrument platform (LCM hull) very unstable. This was not
only uncomfortable for personnel but created very unfavorable working conditions and caused deterioration of equipment. These conditions were corrected on the Umbrella event through the use of a larger platform (LCU hull)
in an anchored position.
A few trouble spots developed in the fabrication of equipment such as

the zero instrument platform, which was to be used by several agencies.

These conditions were brought about by poor coordination between the users

and fabrication agencies.
For any future test of a similar nature, the following recommendations
are offered concerning the activities of Project 34.3:
1. Although the emplacement, suspension, and firing system as used
during Operation Hardtack was employed successfully on the two underwater
events, a different system, which should include a more stable platform for

the zero firing and instrumentation system, would be desired.

2.
More time should be allowed for the various support groups to
determine their requirements and procure and fabricate special equipment.
This action would permit better coordination for preparation of facilities.
The primary purpose of Project 34.4 was to measure blast waves from
the Teak and Orange events. High temperatures or wind speeds in the up-

per atmosphere may cause portions of a blast wave to be returned to the

ground at great distances. Microbarograph stations at Johnston Island;
Lualualei, Oahu; and French Frigate Shoals were to record these refracted
sounds, arrival time, and incidence angles. From these records it is anticipated that winds and temperatures at 100,000 to 180,000 ft, where the
blast waves were returned to the ground, may be interpreted.
The secondary purpose of Project 34.4 was to measure blast waves
generated near the ground at the Eniwetok Proving Ground. These waves

are bent by refraction as they propagate through the upper atmosphere and

were recorded at microbarograph stations located at Eniwetok, Bikini,
Kwajalein, Utirik, Wotho, and Ujelang.
The microbarograph station at Johnston Island recorded an overpressure

PENIS2ccivat time for the blast wave at

the recording instrument was approximately SREDrese data were obtained for the Teak event and together with the Orange data will be evaluated
in terms of wind speed and temperature.

The same will apply to the re-

corded data from Lualualei and French Frigate Shoals.

The microbarograph

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AFWU/HO

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