Operation Hardtack. Project 6.5. Radar Determination of Fireball Phenomena

Abstract

The objectives of this project were to investigate the nature of radar echoes from the fireball produced by atomic detonations, and to determine the feasibility of finding ground zero, height-of-burst, and yield by means of radar echoes. It was concluded that no radar echoes were received from the fireballs of any Hardtack detonations. For surface shots, radar techniques can be used to determine ground zero to an accuracy of + or - 140 feet. The proportionality between maximum target size and yield of the device indicated that maximum size might be used as a rough measure of yield.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1985
Accession Number
ADA995347

Entities

People

  • Ernest L. Baker
  • I. A. Balton
  • T. Viars
  • W. S. Mcafee

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Antennas
  • Bandwidth
  • Cameras
  • Classified Materials
  • Data Reduction
  • Electron Density
  • Equations
  • Fire Control Radar
  • Height Of Burst
  • Nuclear Explosions
  • Photographs
  • Photography
  • Radar Reflections
  • Radio Frequency
  • Recording Systems
  • Sites
  • Tape Recorders

Readers

  • Aerosol Science/Aerosol Physics
  • Combustion Dynamics and Shock Wave Physics.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.