Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-10-24

81 Gil Va COW n htONuC
Weapons.
II. Fall-Out from Atomic
Tests.
III. Long Range Detection
of Nuclear Weapons.
Nv. International Atoms
fOr-Peace Program.
l. THE UNITED STATES
PROGRAM OF TESTING
NUCLEAR WEAPONS.
/. Beginning with the first
test in 1945, the United States
has conducted IS test series.
With the exception of the first
test. which was in time of war,
each series was publicly an
nounced before it was held.
2. Each of the series and
every shot in each series was in
dividually justified and evalu-
ated as necessary for the adj
vancement of our nuclear
weapon technology or to gain
important weapon effects infor-
nation.
3. OF the shots in the several
series, approximately 20 per cent
have been high-yield thermonu-
clear designs and 80 per cent of
flssion devices.
4. The first test-TRINITY--
in 1945 demonstrated the FEAST
bility of an atomic weapon.
5. In July, 1916, two devices
were fired at Operations CROSS
ROADS at Bikini Atoll for in
formation as to the effects of
atomic bursts on ships.
s. Subsequent tests took place
as follows:
Operation SANDSTONE dur
ing the spring of 1948.
Operation RANGER in the
winter of 1906.
Operation GREENHOUSE in
the spring of 1851.
PERATION BUSTER
JANGLE in the fall of 1851.
Operation MILLER
SNAPPER in the spring Of
1852.
Operation IVY in the fall of
1852.
Operation UPSHOT-KNOT-
HOLE in the spring of 1858.
Operation CASTLE in the
spring of 1854.
Operation TEAPOT and WIG
WAMP in the spring of 1865.
Operation REDWING in the
summer of 1856.
7. These tests were designed
to fulfill, and have fulfilled, the
following purposes:
(a) The development of sue
cessive designs using less ma
terial and therefore increasing
the defensive strength of the
United States in terms of the
amount of material available.
CD The development of de-
signs of smaller conf1guration
and lighter weight with the
objective of providing weapons
which can be more readily and
effectively used.
(c) The development Of
high-yield thermometer
weapons. This development
has been of vital Importance
to our striking force and to its
capability to deter aggression.
I'd In the more recent tests
the development of warheads
for missiles designed to defend
our populations. and important
installations against enemy at
tack. In the most recent tests,
the development of weapons of
high yield but low production
of fission products. The sue
cessful attainment of this OBJ
jective will make it possible
for us to have weapons with
greatly reduced Pathological
hazard (fall-out.
8. A major effort in our test
series has been to secure infor-
nation for the protection of our
civil population in the event OF
attack with nuclear weapons.
This information has been dis
seminated to our people through
and by the Federal Civil Defense
Administration.
8. The time required to pre-
pare for a test series depends
upon a number of variables such
as.
(a) The state of readiness 1
OF devices for test.
Cbl Whether the tests are
10 be conducted at our Eni-
wetok Proving Grounds or
within the Continental limits
of the United States where
only small devices can be &C
commodated)
tc) The number and COM
plexity Of the test devices and
of the measurements and OBJ
Servations to be made.
The period required for pre-
paration has varied from a mini
mum Of months for the test Of
simpler, small devices at thel
Nevada Test Site OF the Com
mission to from to 2 years for
nuclear devices at the Eniwetok
Proving Grounds.
ii. FALLOUT FROM
ATOMIC TESTS.
10. The phenomenon aSso-
ciated with atomic explosions
has been known since Operation
TRINITY. It acquired a greatly
increased Importance with the
advent OF early thermometer
weapons although the objection
able fallout Of an atomis ex-
plosion. especially the compon-
ent strontium 90. Is the result.
Of atomic fisSion. which is the
specific reaction in existing