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U.S. Department of Energy
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NAVAL AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4651081· OSTI ID:4651081
The procedures and results of extensive pre- and postshot aerial photographic coverage by naval aircraft are described and evaluated. Objectives were to use highperformance photo aircraft to document pre- and postshot ground zero area conditions, to provide aerial photographs for immediate onsite use in operations, and to determine the unique advantages, if any, of this type of photographic coverage. One preshot and three postshot photo missions were run over the ground zero area by flights of two supersonic F8U-1P (Crusader) jet aircraft of the Pacific Fleet. During each mission black and white, infrared, and color films were exposed. Missions were initially limited to coverage of the immediate crater area but later expanded in area to include the extensive up-wind and cross-wind base surge deposition area. Results indicated that no particular advantage resulted from use of color and infrared film; black and white film proved quite adequate, at least for the low color-contrast area characteristic of the Nevada Test Site. Interim photointerpretation stereo techniques provided the initial gross crater measurements. More deliberate photogrammetric efforts were later employed to locate crater contours and vertical profiles, relative to the bottom of the crater. The strong correlation of the residual contamination and the highly visible up-wind and cross-wind base surge deposition area is demonstrated. The potential value of a naval aerial photography in such events is discussed within the context of recent technological advances. It is concluded that such naval aerial photographic coverage is of considerable value in the rapid assessment of the gross effects of such large scale nuclear excavation events. (auth)
Research Organization:
Naval Radiological Defense Lab., San Francisco
Sponsoring Organization:
US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
NSA Number:
NSA-17-034067
OSTI ID:
4651081
Report Number(s):
PNE-230F
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English