Drawing Back the Curtain of Secrecy

V. NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND RELATED TECHNOLOGY

A. THEORY

1. Methods of applied mathematics and computation if illustrated on declassified subjects. (46-1) Examples:
a. Shock hydrodynamics. (46-1)

b. Integration of partial differential equations. (46-1)

c. General diffusion theory. (46-1)

d. Theoretical methods for determining equations of state. (46-1)

e. Chemical kinetics including application to ordinary explosives. (46-1)

f. Theoretical methods for calculating opacities. (46-1)

g. General theory of blast. (46-1)

2. The idea of the implosion, not including compressional properties, need not be considered classified. However, direct reference to it is not permitted. Rather it is intended that subjects otherwise declassifiable should not continue classified solely because, by implication, they might reveal the idea of implosion. Details of the implosion are to continue to be treated as highly classified information. (50-3) (50-4)
a. All theoretical equation of state studies if not of specific interest to the implosion. (50-3) (50-4)

b. Experimental studies of the equation of state of all elements with atomic number less than 90 provided the methods used do not reveal information about applications or methods of use of items critical in the construction of weapons. (50-3) (50-4)

c. Theoretical methods for calculating opacities. (50-3) (50-4)

d. Explosive studies if not of specific interest to implosion or to other special weapon studies. (50-3)

e. Theory of blast in air but without reference to theory and design of weapons. (50-3)

f. Experimental methods of studying air blast but without reference to theory and design of weapons, application or methods of use of items critical in the construction of weapons, or destructive effects of specific bombsexcept those already used. (50-3)

g. Theoretical work on shock hydrodynamics if not of specific interest to the implosion. (50-3)

h. Effects of 20,000 ton explosion described in the Weapon Effects Handbook of the U.S. or the Civil Defense Handbook of the U.K., unless classified characteristics of the weapon can be determined therefrom. (50-3)

B. MILITARY UTILIZATION

1. Delivery and use of an atomic weapon
a. Method
(1) Trinity - 100 ft. steel tower. (48-2)

(2) Hiroshima - B-29 at about 30,000 ft. (no parachute). (48-2)

(3) Nagasaki - B-29 at about 30,000 ft. (no parachute). (48-2)

(4) Crossroads Able - B-29 at about 30,000 ft. (free fall). (48-2)

(5) Crossroads Baker - Steel caisson below a landing ship (LSM-60). (48-2)

(6) Sandstone - 200 ft. tower. (48-2)

(7) Greenhouse - Steel towers. (53-1)

b. Ballistic times and heights of burst
(1) Hiroshima - about 600 meters. (48-2)

(2) Nagasaki - about 500 meters. (48-2)

(3) Crossroads/Able - several hundred feet. (48-2)

(4) Tower heights - Continental tests. (53-1)

(5) Surface and Underground shots (Buster-Jangle). Mere fact that such a shot had been fired. (53-1)

c. Time of detonation
(1) Trinity, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Crossroads Able and Baker - all released. (48-2)

(2) Sandstone - within one hour or nearest hour. (48-2)

(3) Post-Sandstone - Continental. (53-1)
(a) Within 12 hours of detonation - Scheduled time to within 5 minutes.

(b) After detonation - General.

d. Zero Point
(1) Trinity and Japan - all released. (48-2)

(2) Crossroads - General location. (48-2)

(3) Sandstone - General location. (48-2)

(4) Post Sandstone - General or approximate. (53-1)

(5) Tower shots. (53-1)

(6) Surface/Underground Shots
(a) Continental - General or approximate. (53-1)

e. Ranges, Slant and Horizontal
(1) Hiroshima. (48-2)

(2) Nagasaki. (48-2)

f. Target
(1) Trinity - previously released. (48-2)

(2) Japan - previously released. Alternate for Nagasaki target "Kokura". (48-2)

(3) Bikini - partial release (no distance). (48-2)

(4) Crossroads target array - General. (53-1)

g. Accuracy of drop
(1) Hiroshima. (48-2)

(2) Nagasaki. (48-2)

(3) Crossroads/Able - within 100 ft. of chosen altitude but 1500-2000 ft. off target. (48-2)

(4) Test air drops. Within 100 feet of chosen altitude and approximate relation to ground zero. (53-1)

h. The fact that a military weapons system (such as the 280 mm gun, airplanes of various types including fighters and fighter bombers, and guided missiles of various types) has a capability to deliver atomic weapons provided that the existence of the military weapons system itself is not classified and that any elaboration of the statement of capability will be classified in accordance with the nature of the additional information revealed. (53-1)

i. Mere fact that the U.S. has developed a munition suitable for demolition work. (57-5)

j. The fact that a weapon is in an AEC-DOD Weapon Program Phase. (62-7)

k. The fact that one of the proof tests of a complete nuclear weapons system involved the ASROC (Anti-Submarine Rocket) weapons system. (63-1) (See also V.B.5.c.)

l. Information related to the Polaris:
(1) The fact that the POLARIS MARK 2 Re-entry System may have more than one nuclear warhead. (66-3)

(2) The actual number of MARK 58 nuclear warheads which the POLARIS MARK 2 Re-entry System may have. (66-3)

m.The term or concept of clustered or multiple nuclear warheads when not associated with a specific missile system or project. (67-1)

n. Moments and Products of Inertia for free-fall bombs in production or stockpile prior to July 1, 1967. Remarks: The Moments and Products of Inertia for new weapons of these types which are produced on or after July 1, 1967 will be evaluated on an individual basis and the appropriate classification listed in individual guides as is the case with size, weight and shape of these weapons. (67-11)

o. MIRV concept associated with Polaris MK2, Poseidon, and Minuteman III re-entry system. (68-1)

p. The maximum number of warheads the Poseidon and Minuteman III are designed to carry. (73-4)

q. The fact that ICBM's and SLBM's are hardened. (73-4)

r. The fact that a designated nuclear weapon or missile system is hardened against specified nuclear effects. (77-1)

s. The fact that the Navy RB500 has a maneuvering capability. (80-2)

t. The fact that the Trident I missile has a design capacity for 8 Re-entry Bodies. (80-2)

2. Testing
a. Instrumentation - technique only. (48-2)
(1) Overall preparations - Trinity through Sandstone. (48-2)

(2) Blast Instrumentation. (48-2)

(3) Instantaneous radiation instrumentation. (48-2)
(a) Except radiation as a function of time for the first 1/100 second; e.g., Rossi, Teller, Wilson methods. (51-1)

(4) Meteorological instrumentation. (48-2)

(5) After - radiation instrumentation. (48-2)

(6) Photographic instrumentation. (48-2)

(7) Sample collection devices - less than 100 miles (fact and method). (48-2)

(8) Instruments
(a) Instruments when issued to depots or troops. (49-1)

(b) Production contracts for issue or stockpile quantities. (49-1)

(c) Long range detection instrumentation. Design and development projects - acoustic and seismic (can range from U-S). (50-2)

(d) Existence of Sound Fixing and Ranging Instrumentation (SOFAR). (50-2)

b. Organization. (48-2)

(1) Trinity through Sandstone excluding the Fitzwilliam project. (48-2)

c. Long Range Detection - Monitoring Data. (53-1)
(1) Continental tests. (53-1)

(2) U.S. overseas tests after announcement of occurrence. (53-1)

(3) Number and sizes of particles collected. (53-1)

(4) Quantitative reports of activities of fission products. (53-1)
(a) Total activity or total beta activity.

(b) Breakdown of total activity by time and location.

(5) Long range detection techniques that only involve the following: (53-1)
(a) Tray

(b) Gummed paper

(c) High volume air sampler

3. Atomic Event Data
a. Trinity, first test of atomic bomb at Alamagordo, NM, 16 July 1945. One shot. Type of fissionable material used and yield. (56-3)

b. Hiroshima, first actual combat drop in Japan, 6 August 1945 from B-29 at approximately 30,000 ft. altitude. One shot. Type of fissionable material used, yield, and height of burst. (56-3)

c. Nagasaki, second actual combat drop in Japan, 9 August 1945, from B-29 approximately 30,000 feet altitude. One shot. Type of fissionable material used, yield, and height of burst. (56-3)

d. Crossroads, atomic weapons test at Bikini Pacific Proving Ground in July 1946. Two shots. Type of fissionable material used and yield. Height of burst, target array (General). (56-3)

e. Sandstone, atomic weapons test at Eniwetok Island at the Pacific Proving Ground in April and May 1948. Three shots and yields. No other details except as provided in Appendix C. (56-3)

f. Ranger, atomic weapons test at Nevada Proving Ground in January and February 1951. Five shots. No other details except as provided in Appendix C. (56-3)

g. Greenhouse, atomic weapons test at Eniwetok, in April and May 1951. Four shots. Approximate yield. Shot Easy. No other details except as provided in Appendix C. (56-3)

h. Buster/Jangle, atomic weapons test at Nevada Proving Ground in October and November 1951. Seven shots. No other details except as provided in Appendix C. (56-3)

i. Tumbler-Snapper, atomic weapons test at Nevada Proving Ground in April, May and June 1952. Eight shots. No other details except as provided in Appendix C. (56-3)

j. Ivy, atomic weapons test at Pacific Proving Ground, 1 November 1952. No other details except as provided in Appendix C. (56-3)

k. Upshot/Knothole, atomic weapons test at Nevada Proving Ground in March through 4 June 1953. Eleven shots. No other details except as provided in Appendix C. (56-3)

l. Castle, atomic weapons test at Pacific Proving Ground in March and April 1954. Approximate yield of March 1 shot (15 MT). No other details except as provided in Appendix C. (56-3)

m. Teapot, atomic weapons test at Nevada Proving Ground in Feb-May 1955. Thirteen nuclear shots and one HE detonation. No other details except as provided in Appendix C. (56-3)
(1) Yield May 5, 1955 shot in Teapot test series, as 30-35KT. (57-4)

n. Wigwam, atomic weapons test May 1955 in Eastern Pacific Ocean. One shot. No other details except as provided in Appendix C. (56-3)

o. Redwing, atomic weapons test May-July 1956 at Pacific Proving Ground. (57-1)
(1) Approximate yield of May 21 shot--several megatons. (57-4)

p. Plumbob, atomic weapons test. May-Oct 1957 at NTS. Yields of all shots except John. (58-2)

q. The following information concerning the Pinon shot of Operation Hardtack nuclear test operation. These declassifications were related to a special shot for UN observers.
(1) The location and scheduled and actual time of shot. (58-3)

(2) The device to be tested is contained in a cylindrical container about 5 feet in diameter, and 12 feet long which will weigh about 8 tons including the contents. Also the center of gravity to the extent that it may be revealed by weighing under each of the four corners of the cradle. (58-3)

(3) The bomb fraction tracer will be 20 tons of uranium (isotopic composition will remain classified). (58-3)

(4) The total yield as measured by fireball photography (Only the predicted range of yield will be announced in advance of the test). (58-3)

(5) Cloud samples as collected on filter paper and any information which might be derived from analyzing them without the use of any classified information. (58-3)

(6) Fission yield as determined by radiochemistry at UCRL, Berkeley. The participants will observe this determination andmay actually assist in carrying out the analyses and in this determination. (58-3)

(7) Identification of the device being tested as a stockpile weapon. (58-3)

(8) The fact that at some unspecified previous test a five megaton total yield device was detonated. (58-3)

r. Argus high altitude nuclear test: (59-4)
(1) Yield: 1-2 Kt

(2) Altitude: 300 nautical miles

(3) Latitude and Longitude: Each location to the nearest degree of latitude and longitude

(4) Time: given approximately to the nearest 10 minutes.

s. The yields and time of the Hardhat, Antler and Fisher events in Nougat test series. (62-2)
Events Time & Date Medium Yield
Hardhat 1700:00.12 Z
15 Feb. 1962
Tuff 4.5 Kt
Antler 2304:59.63 Z
15 Sept. 1961
Alluvium 2.4 Kt
Fisher 1800:0010. Z
3 Dec. 1961
Granite 13.5 Kt

t. The depth and yields of the Agouti and Aardvark events of Operation Nougat. (62-6)
Event Time and Date Medium Yield Depth Surface Collapse
Agouti 1800:00.13 Z
18 Jan. 1962
Alluvium 5.9 Kt 835' Yes
Aardvark 1800:00.10 Z
12 May 1962
Alluvium 40 Kt 1434' Yes

u. The yield of a high altitude event: Starfish (1.4 mt). (62-8)

v. The yield and associated information concerning six underground events at NTS in order to assist seismologist in their study of the detectability of nuclear tests. (62-9)
Name Yield Date Depth Medium
Haymaker 48 Kt 6/27/62 1351 ft Alluvium
Cimarron 1 � 2 Kt 2/23/62 1000 ft Alluvium
Armadillo 6.6 � .7 Kt 2/9/62 796 ft Alluvium
Stillwater 2.8 � .3 Kt 2/8/62 625 ft Alluvium
Chinchilla 1.8 � .2 Kt 2/19/62 504 ft Alluvium
Mad 430 � 40 tons 12/13/61 603 ft Alluvium

w. Dormouse II. Medium: Alluvium. Yield: 9.7 Kt. (62-10)

x. Brazos. Medium: Alluvium. Yield: 7.8 Kt. (62-10)

y. Stoat. Medium: Alluvium. Yield: 4.5 Kt. (62-10)

z. Hoosic. Medium: Medium Tuff. Yield: 3 Kt. (62-10)

aa. Platte. Medium: Medium Tuff. Yield: 1.6 Kt. (62-10)

bb. Danny Boy. Medium: Basalt. Yield: 0.430 Kt. (62-10)

cc. Johnny Boy. Date: July 11, 1962. Yield: 500 � 20 tons. Depth: 2 ft. Medium: Alluvium. (63-2)

dd. Bilby. Date: 9/13/63. Yield: 200 Kt. Depth: 2314 ft. Medium: Tuff. (64-1)

ee. Yield of the "Mike" shot in the Ivy test series at 10.4 megatons. (64-4)

ff. Parrot event. Date: December 16, 1964. Depth: 600 ft. Yield: 1.2 Kt. (65-1)

gg. Petrel event. Date: June 11, 1965. Depth: 600 ft. Yield: 1.5 Kt. (65-4)

hh. Pacific Proving Ground Test Events: (66-2)
Test Event Date Operation and Location Yield
KOON April 7, 1954 Castle-Bikini 110 kt
LACROSSE May 4, 1956 Redwing-Eniwetok 40 kt
ZUNI May 27, 1956 Redwing-Bikini 3530 kt
SEMINOLE June 6, 1956 Redwing-Eniwetok 12 kt
TEWA July 20, 1956 Redwing-Bikini 5010 kt
CACTUS May 6, 1958 Hardtack-Eniwetok 18 kt
KOA May 13, 1958 Hardtack-Eniwetok 1370 kt
OAK June 29, 1958 Hardtack-Eniwetok 8900 kt

ii. The yield of the Pile Driver event (55� 11 KT). (67-8)

jj. Yield of the Mud Pack (2.4 � 1 KT) and the Discus Thrower (17 KT) events. (68-5)

kk. Yield of the Pommard event (1.5 KT). (68-7)

ll. Provides for the announcement of yields "In terms of low yield, low intermediate yield, intermediate yield, or low megaton yield" for events that are officially announced. (68-8)

mm. Information concerning NTS test events. (69-1)
Event Date Predicted Actual
Benham 12/19/68 1.1 MT 1.1 MT (est.)
Boxcar 4/26/68 1.1 MT 1.2 MT
Chartreuse 5/6/66 70 KT
Duryea 4/14/66 65 KT
Greeley 12/20/66 830 KT 825 KT
Halfbeak 6/30/66 300 KT
Knickerbocker 5/26/67 71 KT
Rex 2/24/66 16 KT
Scotch 5/23/67 150 KT

nn. The yield of the Merlin event (10 KT). (71-1)

oo. The device to be tested in Cannikin will have a yield less than five megatons. (71-2)

pp. The predicted (80Kt) and the actual yield of the Miniata event. (71-7) (See also VIII.B.9.)

qq. Event: Hupmobile
Date : January 18, 1968
Yield: 7.4 kt
(71-8)

rr. Event : Packard
Date : January 15, 1969
Yield : 10 KT
(71-8)

ss. The nuclear device to be tested in the Cannikin event is related to the optimum development of a warhead for the Spartan missile of our Safeguard Ballistic Missile Defense Program. The measurements of device performance which will be obtained from the test are essential to our optimum defense deployment of safeguards for protection of our Minuteman missile sites. (71-9) (See also V.D.17.)

tt. Unannounced atmospheric tests conducted at Eniwetok Atoll. (72-8)
Event Name Date Type of Burst
Yuma 05/27/56 Tower
Kickapoo 06/13/56 Tower
Inca 06/21/56 Tower
Mohawk 07/02/56 Tower
Pisonia 07/17/58 Barge
Fig 08/18/58 Platform
Quince 08/06/58 Platform
Safety Experiment:
Scaevola 07/14/58 Barge

uu. The following information concerning NTS test events: (73-9)
Event Yield Date
Mississippi 110 Kt 10/5/62
Commodore 250 Kt 5/20/67
Calabash 110 Kt 10/29/69
Flask 105 Kt 5/26/70
Carpet Bag 220 Kt 12/17/70
Delphinium 15 Kt 9/26/72
Starwort 79 Kt 4/26/73

vv. Information concerning three previously unannounced tests. (74-4)
Event Name Date Time
GCT
Location Type of
Burst
Remarks
Bernal 11/28/73 15:30 NTS Underground Under 20 kt.
Misty North 5/2/72 19:15 NTS Underground Under 20 kt.
Ming Blade 6/19/72 16:00 NTS Underground Under 20 kt.
ww. The fact that the thermonuclear fuel used in the Mike test (10/31/52) of the Ivy series was liquid deuterium. (74-5) (See also II.A.9.)

xx. The related fact that complex and bulky cryogenic equipment was associated with Mike. (74-5) (See also I.F.6.)

yy. The fact that the device fired in the Bravo test (2/28/54) of the Castle series used lithium deuteride as its thermonuclear fuel. (74-5) (See also II.Q.15.)

zz. The fact that the yield of the King test (11/15/52) of the Ivy series was 500 kt. (74-5)

aaa. The fact that the Hybla Fair test event occurred at NTS on October 28, 1974, at a yield under 20 kt. (74-7)

bbb. The mere fact that the Item event of the Greenhouse series was the first test of the boosting principle. (75-2)

ccc. Information concerning nuclear test event yields. (75-4)
Event Date Location Type
of Burst
Yields
Baneberry 12/18/70 NTS Underground 10.0 kt.
Cruet 0/29/69 NTS Underground 11.0 kt.
Cyathus 03/06/70 NTS Underground 8.7 kt.
Labis 02/05/70 NTS Underground 25.0 kt.

ddd. Information concerning the Cambric nuclear test event: (76-4)
(1) Fact of detonation (May 14, 1965)

(2) Yield (best current value 0.75 kt.).

(3) Amount of post detonation tritium (best current value 6.0 � 0.3 grams).

eee. The fact that a nuclear test was conducted using reactor grade plutonium and that it successfully produced a nuclear yield. (77-4) (See also II.M.26.)

Note: Information on date, event, name, yield, etc. remain classified.

DOE announced on June 27, 1994 that the event occurred in 1962.

fff. The fact that Campos was fired on February 13, 1978 with a yield of less than 20 kt. (78-2)

ggg. The following Castle series event yields have been declassified: (78-4)
Name Date Location Type of
Burst
Yield
Romeo March 26, 1954 Bikini Barge 11Mt
Union April 25, 1954 Bikini Barge 6.9Mt
Yankee Bikini Barge 13.5Mt
Nectar May 4, 1954
May 13, 1954
Eniwetok Barge 1.69Mt

hhh. The Drill event at NTS on December 5, 1964 with a yield less than 20kt. (79-1)

iii. The fact that underground tests at the Nevada Test Site have been and are a part of the NDEW research program. (85-4) (See also V.E.3.b.)

jjj. Information concerning nuclear test yields. (88-2)
Event Date Yield (Kt.)
Jornada
Atrisco
Chancellor
Cybar
Hearts

January 28, 1982
August 5, 1982
September 1, 1983
July 17, 1986
September 6, 1979

139
138
143
119
140

kkk. The association of Halite and/or Centurion with ICF experiments using nuclear explosives at Nevada Test Site (NTS). No further elaboration. (88-3) (See also VIII.I.)

lll. Declassified yields of tests conducted in Pacific prior to 1958-61 Moratorium: (93-4)
Name Date Location Type Yield
(in kilotons)
Operation Greenhouse
Dog
George
Item
4/07/51
5/08/51
5/24/51
Eniwetok
Eniwetok
Eniwetok
Tower
Tower
Tower
81
225
45.5
Operation Redwing
Cherokee
Yuma
Erie
Flathead
Blackfoot
Kickapoo
Osage
Inca
Dakota
Mohawk
Apache
Navajo
Huron
5/20/56
5/27/56
5/30/56
6/11/56
6/11/56
6/13/56
6/16/56
6/21/56
6/25/56
7/02/56
7/08/56
7/10/56
7/21/56
Bikini
Eniwetok
Eniwetok
Bikini
Eniwetok
Eniwetok
Eniwetok
Eniwetok
Bikini
Eniwetok
Eniwetok
Bikini
Eniwetok
Airdrop
Tower
Tower
Barge
Tower
Tower
Airdrop
Tower
Barge
Tower
Barge
Barge
Barge
3800
0.19
14.9
356
8
1.49
1.7
15.2
1100
360
1850
4500
250
Operation Hardtack I
Yucca
Fir
Butternut
Wahoo
Holly
Nutmeg
Yellowwood
Magnolia
Tobacco
Sycamore
Rose
Umbrella
Maple
Aspen
Walnut
Linden
Redwood
Elder
Hickory
Sequoia
Cedar
Dogwood
Poplar
Scaevola
Pisonia
Juniper
Olive
Pine
Teak
Quince
Orange
Fig
4/28/58
5/11/58
5/11/58
5/16/58
5/20/58
5/21/58
5/26/58
5/26/58
5/30/58
5/31/58
6/02/58
6/08/58
6/10/58
6/14/58
6/14/58
6/18/58
6/27/58
6/27/58
6/29/58
7/01/58
7/02/58
7/05/58
7/05/58
7/14/58
7/17/58
7/22/58
7/22/58
7/26/58
8/01/58
8/06/58
8/12/58
8/18/58
Pacific
Bikini
Eniwetok
Eniwetok
Eniwetok
Bikini
Eniwetok
Eniwetok
Eniwetok
Bikini
Eniwetok
Eniwetok
Bikini
Bikini
Eniwetok
Eniwetok
Bikini
Eniwetok
Bikini
Eniwetok
Bikini
Eniwetok
Bikini
Eniwetok
Eniwetok
Bikini
Eniwetok
Eniwetok
Johnston
Eniwetok
Johnston
Eniwetok
Balloon
Barge
Barge
Underwater
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Underwater
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Barge
Rocket
Surface
Rocket
Surface
1.7
1360
81
9
5.9
2.51
330
57
11.6
92
15
8
213
319
1450
11
412
880
14
5.2
220
397
9300
0*
255
65
202
2000
3800
0**
3800
0.02
*safety experiment
**weapons related, yield was not up to expectation
(1) The fact that the tritium - deuterium mixture of the George test (5/8/51), the first thermonuclear test explosion, burned well. (74-8) (See also II.A.10. and II.B.11)

mmm. Information concerning weapon test yields. (94-13)
Yields of Tests Conducted in Pacific
After the 1958 - 1961 Moratorium
Test Date Location Type Purpose Yield
(kilotons)
Operation Dominic
Adobe
Aztec
Arkansas
Questa
Yukon
Mesilla
Muskegon
Encino
Swanee
Chetco
Tanana
Nambe
Alma
Truckee
Yeso
Harlem
Rinconada
Dulce
Petit
Otowi
Bighorn
Bluestone
Sunset
Pamlico
Androscoggin
Bumping
Chama
Calamity
Housatonic
04/25/62
04/25/62
05/02/62
05/04/62
05/08/62
05/09/62
05/11/62
05/12/62
05/14/62
05/19/62
05/25/62
05/27/62
06/08/62
06/09/62
06/10/62
06/12/62
06/15/62
06/17/62
06/19/62
06/22/62
06/26/62
06/30/62
07/10/62
07/11/62
10/02/62
10/06/62
10/18/62
10/27/62
10/30/62
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Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
190
410
1090
670
100
100
50
500
97
73
2.6
43
782
210
3000
1200
800
52
2.2
81.5
7650
1270
1000
3880
75
11.3
1590
800
8300

Yields of Underground Tests Conducted at the Nevada Test Site
Released Radioactivity Detected Off Site
Test Date Location Type Purpose Yield
(kilotons)
Feather
Pampas
Eel
Des Moines
Bandicoot
Yuba
Eagle
Oconto
Alva
Alpaca
Tee
Fenton
Derringer
Nash
Umber
Pod
Scuttle
Snubber
Riola
Glencoe
12/22/61
03/01/62
05/19/62
06/13/62
10/19/62
06/05/63
12/12/63
01/01/64
08/19/64
02/12/65
05/07/65
04/23/66
09/12/66
01/19/67
06/29/67
10/29/69
11/13/69
04/21/70
09/25/80
03/22/86
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
NTS
Tunnel
Shaft
Shaft
Tunnel
Shaft
Tunnel
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Shaft
Weapons Related
Joint US-UK
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
Weapons Effects
Weapons Related
Weapons Related
0.15
9.5
4.9
2.9
12.5
3.1
5.3
10.5
4.4
0.33
7
1.4
7.8
39
10
16.7
1.7
12.7
1.07
29
4.Future Atomic Tests
a. For future operations without context revealing meaning. (56-3)

b. Site or vehicle code words, e.g., for weather stations, monitor locations, airplanes and the like (Standing alone). (56-3)

c. Construction contractor work
(1) Existence of AEC contracts and names of contractors for construction and maintenance work at Nevada or at Pacific Proving Ground (without indicating date of test program). (56-3)

(2) Total force of job site. (56-3)

(3) Routine personnel administration. (56-3)

(4) Procurement of routine construction items. (56-3)

(5) Length of time of employment. (56-3)

(6) Layout of camp site. Facilities; e.g., power houses and systems, telephone exchanges and systems, etc. (56-3)

d. Project contractors and Agencies; Association with test organizations. (56-3)
(1) Incomplete DOD-fiscal listing. (56-3)

e. Test site; Location of ground zero. (56-3)
(1) Tower construction and drawings not revealing nature of installation to be placed thereon. (56-3)

(2) Layouts of individual instrument buildings which do not reveal purpose for which building is erected, or radiation or other weapon effects it is to withstand. (56-3)

(3) Layout of laboratory buildings which do not reveal nature of activities conducted therein so as to indicate scope of scientific program. (56-3)

(4) Instrumentation. Except when the various instruments or their array reveal classified information. (56-3)

f. General Scientific Information; Shipping and handling container for assembled nuclear test device, providing it is not identified, and providing details giving size, weight, or shape of device are not divulged. (56-3)

g. Developmental and test detonations at NTS. If detonation is clearly identifiable as an actual or probable stockpile weapon (such as detonation of an air-to-air rocket or gun-fired projectile) the yield is Secret. (57-4)

5. Miscellaneous Test Information

a. Nuclear weapon test yields of UK, U.S. and Soviet nuclear events through 1958. (59-5)
UNITED STATES, UNITED KINGDOM, AND SOVIET
NUCLEAR EVENTS
(Yield in Kilotons)
Inclusive Years Fission Yield* Total Yield
Air Burst Ground Surface Burst Water Surface Burst Air Burst Surface Burst
1945-1951 190 550 20 190 570
1952-1954 1000 15000 22000 1000 59000
1955-1956 5600 1500 6000 11000 17000
1957-1958 31000 4400 4600 57000 28000
* A value of 50% has been arbitrarily selected for the fission to total yield ratio for all Soviet thermonuclear tests. As indicated in the tables, 50% is about the average fission to total yield ratio for all US/UK thermonuclear tests.

SOVIET NUCLEAR EVENTS
(Yield in Kilotons)
Inclusive Total Fission Yield*
1945-1951 60
1951-1954 500
1955-1956 4000
1957-1958 21000
* A value of 50% has been arbitrarily selected for the fission to total yield ratio for all Soviet thermonuclear tests. As indicated in the tables, 50% is about the average fission to total yield ratio for all US/UK thermonuclear tests.

UNITED STATES AND UNITED KINGDOM NUCLEAR EVENTS
(Yield in Kilotons)
Year Total Fission
Yield
Total Fission Yield From Greater
than
1MT Total Yield Events
1945 60
1946 40
1948 100
1951 500
1952-1954 37000 36000
1955 200
1956 9000 8000
1957-1958 19000 14000

b. The fact that tests were conducted of designs which could lead to an entirely new class of U.S. weapons which could have relatively low weights and extremely high yields, with the fission contributions decreased to only a few percent of the total yield. (63-1) (See also V.D.8.)

c. The fact that one of the proof tests of a complete nuclear weapons system involved the ASROC (Anti-Submarine Rocket) weapons system. (63-1) (See also V.B.1.k.)

d. The fact that a specific event which has been approved for announcement by the Commission is a "nuclear weapons related, PNE device development or Vela test". (68-8)

e. The emplacement of a nuclear weapon at some point above the bottom of the hole for purposes of debris containment. Information revealing the effectiveness of debris containment techniques is not being proposed for declassification and remains classified Secret Restricted Data. (68-8)

f. Mechanical closure mechanisms, fast gates, and hydrodynamic closures per se including number used on a specific event and their location on systems currently in use. However, modifications to existing Line of Sight systems which could result in a major improvement in underground testing techniques or capabilities should be reviewed by the Division of Classification, HQ, for classification prior to unclassified release. (68-8)

g. For the future, the mere fact that the United States conducts simultaneous underground nuclear tests. (70-1)

h. Information on foreign nuclear tests. (70-2)

Year Country and Location Number of Tests Approximate Yields (Megaton)
Fission Total
1966 Communist China-Lop Nor
France-South Pacific
3
5
0.5
0.8
0.6
0.9
1967 Communist China-Lop Nor
France-South Pacific
2
3
2.0
0.2
3.0
0.2
1968 Communist China-Lop Nor
France-South Pacific
1
5
1.5
4.2
3.0
4.7
1969 Communist China-Lop Nor 1 1.5 3.0

i. The sum of estimated fission yields for all events conducted underground at the Nevada Test Site through 1993, with an effective date of January 1, 1994, that were detonated below or within 100 meters of the water table: (94-2)
(1) on Pahute Mesa

(2) on testing areas other than Pahute Mesa

j. The sum of estimated masses, by isotope, of unfissioned fissile materials, fission products with a half-life in excess of 1 year, and neutron-activated radionuclides with a half-life in excess of 1 year either left in or created in the detonation cavities formed by events described in V.B.5.i. above through 1993 with an effective date of January 1, 1994. (94-2)

k. The sum of the estimated mass of tritium either left in or created in the detonation cavities described in V.B.5.i. through 1993 with an effective date of January 1, 1994. (94-2)

l. The estimated activity, in curies, through 1993, with an effective date of January 1, 1994 of each of the isotopes described in V.B.5.j. above. (94-2)

m. The estimated activity, in curies, through 1993, with an effective date of January 1, 1994, of the tritium described in V.B.5.k. above. (94-2)

n. The total estimated mass of reportable toxic or hazardous materials either left in or created in the detonation cavities formed by events described in V.B.5.i. through 1993, with an effective date of January 1, 1994. (94-2)

6. Phenomenology
a. Blast, shock, acceleration, etc. Nominal (not related to any specific event). (48-2)
(1) Values at specified distance or specified part of target - Nominal [Note 7]. (48-2) (51-1)

(2) Character of attenuation with distance, altitude and depth -Nominal [Note 7]. (48-2) (51-1)

(3) Gravity waves, height, velocity, and attenuation - Nominal [Note 7] and Bikini Baker. (48-2) (51-1)

(4) Special phenomena such as Mach front - Nominal [Note 7]. (48-2) (51-1)

(5) Blast data necessary for defensive studies - Nominal (20kt burst). (49-1)

(6) Base surge - Nominal. (48-2)
(a) Base surge - Nominal [Note 7] and Bikini Baker. (51-1)

(7) Variations of the following air blast and shock parameters at surface level with distance or time as a function of height or depth (including composite curves for a number of heights or depths of burst), or in free air with distance or time, as a function of yield. Classification depends on classification of yield. (59-1)
(a) Peak overpressure

(b) Peak dynamic pressure

(c) Time of arrival of shock front

(d) Positive phase duration of overpressure and dynamic pressure

(e) Peak density or peak material velocity

(f) Mach characteristics and height of triple point

(g) Overpressure and dynamic pressure impulse

(h) Crater dimensions for other than surface bursts.

(8) Variation of any of the parameters under (7) above or other shock or wave characteristics with distance or time as a function of depth of burst (including composite curves for a number of depths of burst) in ground or water as a function of yield. Classification depends on classification of yield. (59-1)

(9) Relative efficiencies of any of the parameters in (7) or (8) with respect to TNT or other standard of comparison. (59-1)

b. Bomb clouds and column - Nominal. (48-2)
(1) Shape, rate of ascent, dimensions at specified times - Nominal. (48-2)

(2) Cloud chamber effects - Nominal. (48-2)

(3) Cloud chamber effects. (56-3)

(4) Base surge, except when related to yields. (56-3)

c. Meteorology
(1) Extent of downwind travel - Nominal (20KT). (48-2)
(a) Pre-Sandstone. (51-1)

(2) Exact meteorological conditions at detonation time - Nominal. (48-2)
(a) Pre-Sandstone. (51-1)

(3) Cloud fallout studies - Nominal. (48-2)
(a) Cloud fallout data - Nominal (20kt burst). (49-1)

(b) Pre-Sandstone. (51-1)

(c) Cloud fallout data necessary for defensive use. (51-1)

(4) Long range spread of material - Nominal. (48-2)
d. Oceanography - Nominal (20KT). (48-2)
(1) Velocities of surface and bottom currents and their relation to spread of material - Nominal. (48-2)

(2) Internal circulation and flushing lagoon - Nominal. (48-2)

e. Radiation
(1) Types and amounts of radiation (not resolved beyond one second) - Nominal. (48-2)
(a) Nominal data for .01 second and greater. (51-1)

(2) Values at specified distances and gamma and neutron irradiated samples taken at specified distances - Nominal [Note 8]. (48-2)
(a) Values at specified distances (Nuclear and thermal) Nominal . (53-1)

(3) Attenuation, atmospheric absorption - Nominal. (48-2)
(a) Attenuation, atmospheric absorption. Ground and water scattering and absorption (Nuclear and Thermal) Nominal [Note 8]. (53-1)

(4) Ground and water scattering and absorption spectral distributions- Nominal. (48-2)

(5) Spectral distributions - Nominal. (48-2)
(a) Spectral distributions (Nuclear and Thermal) Nominal [Note 8]. (53-1)

(6) Relative intensities of types of radiation - Nominal. (48-2)
(a) Relative intensities of types of radiation (Nuclear and Thermal); Nominal [Note 8]. (53-1)

(7) Alpha radiation. Fission product concentrations; Nominal [Note 8]. (48-2) (53-1)

(8) Intensity rates of increase or decrease - Nominal. (48-2)

(9) Intensity, rate of increase or decrease. (53-1)
(a) Nuclear; Nominal data [Note 8] for .01 second and greater. (53-1)

(b) Thermal; Nominal data [Note 8] and data for 1 second and greater. (53-1)

(10) Gamma and neutron irradiated samples taken at specified distances; Nominal [Note 8]. (53-1)

(11) Mathematical expressions or graphical presentations resulting from a compilation of nuclear radiation data as a function of distance and hypothetical yield. Information will be classified on basis of classification of diagnostic information that may be involved. (56-3)
(a) Gamma intensity vs. time (after 0.01 seconds from detonation), integrated dose and effective energy spectrum.

(b) Neutron total dose (rad or rem). It is permissible to indicate "high" "medium," or "low" neutron yield detonation.

(c) Neutron dose as a function of energy spectrum as measured by activation, threshold and fission detectors having thresholds 3 Mev or below. Unclassified for unboosted fission weapons only.

(d) Neutron induced activity as determined by type or composition of exposed material.

(e) Character and degree of attenuation, scattering or absorption in various media.

f. TNT Equivalents of Pre-Sandstone - General (48-2)
(1) Kiloton yield
(a) Pre-Sandstone - General statement. (51-1)

(b) Trinity, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Crossroads; 20 Kt. (53-1)

(2) Yields of developmental and test weapons or devices as follows: (56-1)
(a) Sandstone, Trinity, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Crossroads. (56-1)

(b) Approximate yield for any shot under 1MT when not identifiable with a specific shot (identification of yield with named test operation or proving ground is not considered "identification with a specific shot") The Number 1 or nearest whole number multiple of 10 or 100; i.e., 1Kt, 10 Kt, 20 Kt, etc., 100 Kt, 200 Kt, 300 Kt, etc. (56-1)

(3) Developmental and test weapons or devices are classified except as follows: Sandstone, Trinity, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Crossroads, and Ivy Mike. The number 1 or nearest whole number multiple of 10 or 100, i.e., 1 Kt, 10 Kt, 20 Kt, etc., 100 Kt, 200 Kt, 300 Kt, etc. (56-3)

(4) Hypothetical yields. A hypothetical yield is any yield not identifiable as the yield of an actual detonation, weapon or device. (56-3)

g. Fireball
(1) Rate of growth - more than 1 second - Nominal. (48-2)

(2) Temperatures (but no more specific than 2 to 6 KV) -Nominal. (48-2)

(3) Size, rate of growth, temperature and other characteristics -Nominal. (51-1)

(4) Mathematical expression or graphical presentations resulting from a compilation of fireball data as a function of hypothetical yield. (56-3)
(a) Maximum fireball radius. (56-3)

(b) Radius of fireball related to time for scaled time. (56-3)

h. Thermal Phenomena
(1) Mathematical expressions or graphical presentations resulting from a compilation of thermal data as a function of hypothetical yield. (56-3)
(a) Shape of radiation pulse

(b) Thermal yield

(2) Incident thermal radiation energy at a given distance for a hypothetical yield. (56-3)

(3) Existence of, and circuitry used in devices such as bhangmeters. (56-3)
(a) Bhangmeter design criteria. (59-1)

(b) Bhangmeter calibration data or records. Classification of bhangmeter records identified with classified yields depends on the classification of the yield. (59-1)

(4) Mathematical expressions or graphical presentations resulting from a compilation of thermal data as a function of hypothetical data. Thermal radiation as a function of time after the 1st millisecond. (59-1)
i. Radioactive Fall-out
(1) Mathematical expressions or graphical presentations resulting from a compilation of radioactive fall-out or residual radiation data as a function of hypothetical yield and burst conditions. "Clean" and "salted" weapons or devices will not be included. (56-3)
(a) Pattern

(b) Iso-intensity and iso-dose contours, total activity, residual radiation energy spectrum, or decay rate for fission weapons, devices, or detonations.

(c) Beta to gamma ratio

j. Blast and Shock Phenomena
(1) Mathematical expressions or graphical presentations resulting from a compilation of blast and shock data as a function of distance and hypothetical yield. (Provided height of burst or depth of burst is not specified.) (56-3)
(a) Peak overpressure.

(b) Peak dynamic pressure.

(c) Time of arrival of shock front.

(d) Positive phase duration of overpressure and dynamic pressure.

(e) Peak density or peak material velocity.

(f) Mach characteristics and height of triple point.

(g) Overpressure and dynamic pressure impulse.

(h) Crater dimensions for surface bursts.

(i) Variation of crater dimensions with depth of burst as obtained from unclassified TNT data.

(2) Partition of energy; In air, below 15,000 ft. Mean Sea Level (MSL). As among thermal, visible, nuclear radiation, and shock. (56-3)
(a) Partition of energy; In air, below 50,000 ft. MSL. Among thermal visible nuclear, etc. (59-1)
(3) Precursor and related phenomena; The word "precursor" when used in connection with atomic weapons phenomena or effects. (56-3)
(a) Precursor and related phenomena. (59-1)

k. The fact that the X-ray output of nuclear weapons may contain a significant amount of energy above 10 kev provided that elaboration on this fact continues to be classified. (77-3)

l. Blackbody temperature information for use in discussions concerning nuclear weapons:
(1) The fact that nominal (or normal) nuclear weapon temperatures are 1 to 2 keV. (93-2)

(2) Hypothetical 2 keV and below single temperature blackbody equivalent x-ray spectra. (93-2)

7. Damage
a. Burn and blast damage to animate objects (General) - Nominal (Japan). (48-2)

b. Burn and blast damage to inanimate objects (General) - Nominal (Japan and Trinity). (48-2)

c. Crater size- Nominal, Japan and Trinity. (48-2)
(1) Fact that crater is formed. (53-1)

(2) Crater size; Nominal. (53-1)
(a) Crater sizes; Underground and surface shot Buster/Jangle. (54-2)

d. Damage radii - Nominal, Japan and Trinity. (48-2)

e. Degree, range and cause of overall damage - Nominal, Japan and Trinity. (48-2)

f. Relative importance of damage producing phenomena - Nominal, Japan and Trinity. (48-2)

g. Points of great structural weakness - General. (48-2)
(1) Structural weakness. (53-1)

h. Internal mechanical damage - General. (48-2)
(1) Susceptibility to internal mechanical damage - General. (53-1)

i. Medical aspects subject to other categories - Nominal, Japan and Trinity. (48-2) (See also VI.D.)

j. Radiation damage to inanimate objects- Nominal, Japan and Trinity. (48-2)

k. Repair (physical problems). (48-2)

l. Decontamination problems - General. (48-2)
(1) General principles and techniques of decontamination without reference to specific agents. (49-2)

(2) Decontamination data necessary for defensive use - Nominal (hypothetical 20,000 ton burst). (49-1)

(3) Decontamination studies including water purification. (49-1)

m. Monitoring techniques. (48-2)

n. Shielding studies - Nominal. (48-2)
(1) Shielding data necessary for defensive use - Nominal (20Kt burst). (49-1)

o. Other protective devices - Nominal. (48-2)
(1) Studies of protective devices, individual and collective. (49-1)

p. Damage to and description of specific material and ships - Nominal, Japan and Trinity. (48-2)

8. Significance and comparisons
a. Comparisons of damage effectiveness of the different bombs. All of the same order, but acknowledge that the U.S. has now achieved explosives up to twice the strength of Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs. (48-2)

b. Effects which would have been produced in City and Harbor of New York, Nominal (20KT). (48-2)

c. Speculations on deep water and underground explosions, Nominal (20KT). (48-2)

d. Military Defense - Nominal. (48-2)

e. Civil defense problems - Nominal. (48-2)
(1) Civil defense problems, not related to a specific agent or weapon. (49-2)

f. 100 ton test and scale tests including radiological. (48-2) (49-1)

g. Super - speculation outside Armed Forces and AEC organizations. (48-2)

h. Resurvey information except quantitative statements on amount of fissile material. (48-2)
(1) Resurvey information at test sites except: quantitative statements on amount of fissile material. (49-1)

9. Radiological warfare - General. (48-2)
a. General definition of radiological warfare agents, their purpose and effects. (49-2)

b. Fact that the U.S. is studying its possibilities. (49-2)

c. Existence and purpose of the Joint AEC-National Military Establishment Panel on Radiological Warfare. (49-2)

d. General limitations. (49-2)

e. General potentialities. (49-2)

f. Medical aspects (of RW), except where governed by other classification topics. (49-2) (See also VI.I.)

g. General principles of tactical deployment, without reference to a specific agent, weapon, or vehicle. (49-2)

10. Radiological warfare - Offensive. (51-1)
a. Procurement of basic materials prior to irradiation when purpose is not revealed. (51-1)


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