b. We plan to use LOKI missiles which will be fired
from destroyers.
These missiles are expected to reach
altitudes of 130,000 feet.
They will eject at selected
altitudes strips of metal foll which can be tracked by
the radar equipment on the destroyer.
If this technique
is successful we will have wind data above 100,000 feet
for the first time.
IV. IMPROVED FALLOUT FORECAST
A fallout prediction wit was used during Operation
Teapot at the Nevada Test Site last Spring.
This group of
experts made important improvements in the forecasting of
fallout patterns.
We will have asimilar fallout prediction
unit at the Task Force Headquarters during Operation Redwing,
We feel that we can make much more reliable forecasts of fallout
patterns now than we couid two years ago.
The data obtained
during Operation Castle has permitted us to develop models of
the clouds produced by megaton yield weapons.
Therefore, we
will be using megaton cloud models to forecast fallout patterns
of new megaton weapons for the first time.
The National Bureau of Standards has produced a fallout
computer device for the U.S. Weather Bureau. The idea for this
fallout computer was suggested by Dr. Lester Machta of the
Weather Bureau.
Several of Dr. Machta's assistants, with at
least one of his new machines, will be with us in the fallout
prediction unit during Operation Redwing.
Another type of
optical fallout pattern computer has been developed at Los Alamos,
and one or more of theseoptical computers will also be available
to us in the fallout prediction unit.
Lastly, a third type of
fallout computer is being developed by Y andia Corporation.
V. CONCLUSTON AS TO WEATHER AND FALLOUT FORECASTING
We are confident that improved weather techniques and the
enlarged weather reporting network, together with added experience
and new fallout computers we will be able to make more accurate
and more reliable forecasts of fallout patterns than we have
been able to make on previous overseas operations.
Moreover,
since Castle showed us how tremendous the lethal fallout patterns
of megaton weapons can be, we will not fire under conditions that
are, in any way marginal.
VI. DANGER AREA
The Task Force has requested the AEC to effect the establish-
ment of a Danger Area for Operation Redwing,
is shown on the chart.
The new Danger Area
(Show Danger Area Chart.) The AEC has
obtained the approval of the Department of State for this proposed
area.
This Danger Area is established es shown, and an announce-
ment of the New Danger Area has been mace.
The Department of
State has notified concerned foreign governments through State
Department channels.
The Chief of Naval Operations has
insured
that appropriate Notices to Mariners anc Notices to Airmen have
been given wide distribution, including distribution to appropriate
foreign and international agencies,
The Danger Area became effective on 20 April.
The Danger
Area will be kept in force until after the last shot, which may
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