Survey of the Thermal Threat of Nuclear Weapons

Abstract

This paper reviews the current state of knowledge on the thermal effects of nuclear weapons, atmospheric transmissivity, ignition of target elements, and fire propagation and spread. Some of the topics considered are: Importance of attack assumptions (delivery capabilities of the enemy, warhead types and yields, altitude of detonation, timing, and warning) in determining the characteristics of thermal radiation and the susceptibility of targets to thermal damage; Modification of the thermal radiation by the atmosphere, intervening cloud layers or other meteorological features, and target elements, such as trees and topography; Interaction of blast, radioactivity, and thermal radiation phenomena; Response of target elements to direct thermal radiation; Effects of weather and topography on target vulnerability and fire spread; Fire development and spread in target areas; Vulnerability of humans; Countermeasures.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1964
Accession Number
ADA383988

Entities

People

  • Jack C. Rogers
  • Timothy Miller

Organizations

  • SRI International

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Birds
  • Burning Rate
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Combustion
  • Explosives
  • Forests
  • Health Services
  • Heat Transfer
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Science
  • Medical Personnel
  • Meteorology
  • Nuclear Explosions
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Warning Systems
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Theoretical Analysis.