The Impact of Fires Produced by Tactical Nuclear Weapons
Abstract
An investigation of the collateral damage produced by tactical nuclear weapons was conducted under Defense Nuclear Agency Contract No. DNA 001- 76-C-0039. The analysis of civilian casualties produced by prompt weapon effects (i.e., initial nuclear radiation, direct and indirect airblast effects and thermal radiation effects) was emphasized during that effort. During the early stages of that contract, an effort was devoted to identifying potential casualty-producing mechanisms which might extend to ranges farther than the prompt effects mentioned above. Fires produced by thermal radiation was one of the mechanisms identified. An effort was initiated in August of 1976 to scope the impact on collateral damage of fires produced by tactical nuclear weapons and the relationship between fires in residential areas and the resulting casualties. The effort included primary fires (those started by the thermal pulse), secondary fires (those started by secondary effects such as airblast, debris, etc.) and spread fires. This report summarizes the results of this effort, which was primarily conducted at the Stanford Research Institute by Stanley B. Martin and Steven J. Wiersma. It should be recognized that this was a preliminary scoping effort, intended more to identify any needs for further research than to provide definitive results for a wide range of burst scenarios.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA047572
Entities
People
- M. K. Drake
- M. P. Fricke
- S. B. Martin
- S. J. Wiersma