MEASUREMENT OF FREE AIR ATOMIC BLAST PRESSURES
Abstract
The purpose of Project 1.1 was twofold. First, it was designed to obtain peak free-air overpressure versus time measurements in the 10-to-2 psi range as a function of distance directly over a nuclear burst at a low scaled height. This information was to be used to establish the points in space at which the reflected and direct shock waves merge into a single shock wave and to determine the overpressure as a function of distance for the merged wave, in support of the Project 5.1 drone-aircraft lethal-volume studies. Second, it was desired to obtain free air peak overpessure versus distance measurements for an atomic burst at a high altitude. To achieve the first objective, the project participated in two tower shots, Shot 4 and Shot 8, since their scaled heights approximated that of Shot 12 for which Project 5.1 required drone-aircraft positioning information. The operation was accomplished by deploying, from a B- 29 aircraft, 10 parachute-borne instrumented canisters on each shot. The second objective was achieved by deploying 15 parachute-borne canisters from the strike aircraft on Shot 10.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 14, 1958
- Accession Number
- AD0460280
Entities
People
- James A. Fava
- N. A. Haskell
- Richard M. Brubaker
Organizations
- Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories