In-Flight Participation of a B-52
Abstract
The primary objective of Project 5.2 in Operation Redwing was to obtain measured-energy input and aircraft-response data on an instrumented B-52 aircraft when subjected to the thermal, blast, and gust effects of a nuclear explosion. B-52 (AF 52-004) was extensively instrumented for participation in Operation Redwing with the major portion of the instrumentation devoted to measuring aircraft responses. The actual positioning of the B-52 relative to the detonation was accomplished by use of the aircraft Bombing Navigation System (BNS). The B-52 participated in nine shots, including one shot which the air craft aborted just prior to time zero because of BNS difficulties. The aircraft received up to 110 percent of the allowable limit overpressure, 100 percent of the allowable limit moment on the horizontal stabilizer, and 82 percent of the allowable bending moment of the wing. Except on Shot Huron, aircraft damage was confined to thermal damage on secondary items such as seals, paint on thin skin, and rain-erosion coating on the majority of the exposed plastic surfaces.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 23, 1959
- Accession Number
- AD0340140
Entities
People
- F. L. Williams
Organizations
- Boeing