Test plan for intermediate range airblast propagation measurements. [Simulation of missile explosions early in flight test]

Technical Report · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6759461

Reed, J W

In hope of clarifying some uncertainties about how atmospheric refraction influences explosion wave propagation, an explosion test program is planned for firings at Cape Canaveral, Florida, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Three test series, totaling about 100 explosions each of 45 kg HE, will be divided between winter and summer tests in Florida, and terrain shadowing tests in California. In addition, about 200 small shots of 2.3 kg HE will be fired to increase the statistical sample, and six larger shots of 1134 kg HE will be fired for yield scaling verification. Meteorlogical data for correlation with airblast propagation results will be obtained from rawinsonde balloon ascensions and meteorological tower instruments. Blast pressure gages will be operated at distances of 200 m to 5 km in a cruciform array centered on the explosion area. This will allow evaluation of wind component effects in four directions from each explosion. The primary experimental goal is to correlate the airblast over-pressure distance decay rate and the sound velocity-altitude gradient in the atmospheric boundary layer. In addition, there will be exploration of: (1) wind effects on height-of-burst Mach stem formation; (2) the influences of low level winds and ground surface temperature on propagation; and (3) the attenuation caused by atmospheric turbulence.

• Research Organization: Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-0789
• OSTI ID: 6759461
• Report Number(s): SAND-78-1703
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420200* -- Engineering-- Facilities
Equipment
& Techniques
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450100 -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Chemical Explosions & Explosives
ATMOSPHERIC EXPLOSIONS
BLAST EFFECTS
BOUNDARY LAYERS
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIONS
EXPLOSIONS
FAILURES
LAUNCHING
LAYERS
METEOROLOGY
MISSILES
ROCKETS
SAFETY
SHOCK WAVES
WAVE PROPAGATION