Chemical Testing of the Bigeye Binary Chemical Bomb
Abstract
This report discusses testing of the Bigeye (Binary Chemical Bomb) since the program was restarted in 1976. After the program resumed through 1981, there were eight chemical tests to update earlier program tests on the chemicals. In December 1981, the Secretary of Defense directed that the program be accelerated so that production could start in fiscal year 1984. As a result there were several tests in 1982. This report focused primarily on the events surrounding an October 1982 test failure which later necessitated a restructuring of the program. The test failure resulted from a chemical reaction which involved a rapid increase in temperature and pressure to such an extreme that an inner section of the bomb was forced out the rear of the weapon.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 30, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA148778
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office