Seeding Cold Fog with Pyrotechnics.
Abstract
In January 1969 a test team seeded supercooled (-7.5 to -13C) fog and stratus in nine Project Cold Cowl experiments at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. The team used 2-minute TB-2 pyrotechnic fusees mounted on a WC-130 aircraft flying box and lane patterns at cloud-top level or up to 500 feet above it at about 130 knots. The slow speed was chosen for test convenience; the TB-2 would be equally effective at speeds to about 260 knots. The optimum seeding method was to fly parallel straight lanes at 3,000-foot intervals at cloud-top level, using one fusee per lane. The holes thus made merged into one. The major problem was proper positioning of the hole, partly because the hole-making reaction time is 30 to 50 minutes. The fusees were effective and convenient to use; effectiveness decreased with increased altitude above the cloud top. Crushed dry ice was dispensed in similar flight patterns for comparison. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0852958
Entities
People
- Ronald L. Lininger
Organizations
- Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake