APPENDIX "GQ"
PROGRAM 8.0 -— EFFECTS ON ATRCRAFT
1.
GENERAL REMARKS
This program was designed primarily to give information necessary for the
safe operation of atomic bomb carrying aircraft and to develop design criteria for
future aircraft.
In addition, several other projects concerned with airborne devices
and techniques were studied under this program,
2,
EFFECTS ON AIRBORNE AIRCRAFT
a.
The test for detormining the offects of an atomic explosion on aircraft
in flight was the most extensive project of this program,
Special instrumentation
for the measurement of blast, gust, and temperature effects was installed in Air
Force airplanes,
These were flown at predctermined altitudes and distances from the
zero point of the explosion,
shots,
Distances were based on the predicted yields of the
Complete analysis of the data received is now under way at the Air Material
Command; therefore, only preliminary results or indications are available at this
time,
b.
On "DOG" shot one (1) T+33 jet drone, one (1) B-17 drone, two (2) man—
ned B-50Ds and one (1) manned XB-4,7 participated in the test.
Distances at shot time
from zcro point varied from 9,260 feet (T-33 drone) to 52,100 fect (B-50D).
Dis-
tances at shock arrival time varicd from 11,000 feet (T-33 drone} to 40,900 feet
(B-50D),
Altitudes varics from 7,800 feet (T~33 drone) to 29,000 feet (B+50D).
structural damage resulted on any of the airplanes.
No
Damage due to heat was caused
on the T~33 drone and on a B-L7 drone at 15,000 feet altitude end 16,150 feet slant
range,
places,
The T+33 (which is all metal construction) had scorched paint in several
On the B17, the fabric surfaccs on the under side of the ailerons and ele-
vators were burned away.
Black paint was scorched in several other places,
The
crew of the XB-L7 at 25,700 fect slant range reported fecling considerable heat.
Recordings on the specislized instrumentation were received and arc being analyzed.
ce
On "EASY" shot, one (1) each of the T-33 drones and B-17 drones were
positioned to receive blast loads in excess of 90% of the ultimate designed load
factor of the aircraft.
Two (2) T-33 drones, two (2) B-l7 drones, one (1) manned
XB-i,7 and two (2) manned B~5OD airplanes participated in the test.
shot time varied from 6,540 fect (1-33) to 38,000 fect (XB-47).
Distances at shock
.arrival time varied from 6,920 fect (T-33) to 33,000 feet (23-47).
from 6,500 fect to 33,000 feet,
Distances at
Altitudes varied
The low T~33 went out of control shortly after
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