Evaluation of the A3D-1 Aircraft for Special Weapons Delivery Capability

Abstract

The results are presented of the participation of the A3D airplane in Project 5.8 of Operation Red wing. Primary objective of this project was to determine the response of the structure of the A3D-1 aircraft to the thermal effects of a thermonuclear explosion, primarily for the purpose of establishing critical thermal envelopes for the aircraft when utilized for the delivery of large yield devices. On the basis of existing structural strength it was determined that actual delivery capability limitations of the A3D as a high altitude bomber would be caused by thermal response rather than response to gust inputs. Therefore, participation in Operation Redwing was limited to shots for which thermal response would be the limiting factor. Results of the tests are presented as direct and indirect irradiance and radiant exposure versus time, temperature in thin skin areas versus time, maximum temperature rise at each thermocouple locations, peak overpressure, time of shock arrival, and limited data on structural loads and accelerations caused by the shock wave gust.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 27, 1960
Accession Number
AD0339910

Entities

Organizations

  • Douglas

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Bomb Bay Doors
  • Fuselages
  • Fusion Weapons
  • Heat Capacity
  • Heat Transfer
  • High Altitude
  • Horizontal Stabilizers
  • Measurement
  • Munitions
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Recording Systems
  • Spars
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Explosive Engineering.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.