Operation Teapot | |
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Information | |
Country | United States |
Test site |
|
Period | 1955 |
Number of tests | 14 |
Test type | cratering, free air drop, parachuted, tower |
Max. yield | 43 kilotonnes of TNT (180 TJ) |
Test series chronology | |
Operation Teapot was a series of 14 nuclear test explosions conducted at the Nevada Test Site in the first half of 1955. It was preceded by Operation Castle , and followed by Operation Wigwam . Wigwam was, administratively, a part of Teapot, but it is usually treated as a class of its own. The aims of the operation were to establish military tactics for ground forces on a nuclear battlefield and to improve the nuclear weapons used for strategic delivery. [1]
During shot Wasp, ground forces took part in Exercise Desert Rock VI which included an armored task force Razor moving to within 900 metres (3,000 ft) of ground zero, under the still-forming mushroom cloud. [2]
An augmented test unit from the United States Marine Corps participated in shot Bee during the March 1955 exercises. [2]
The MET was the first bomb core to include uranium-233 (a rarely used fissile isotope that is the product of thorium-232 neutron absorption), along with plutonium; this was based on the plutonium/U-235 pit from the TX-7E, a prototype Mark 7 nuclear bomb design used in the 1951 Operation Buster-Jangle Easy test. It produced a yield of 22kt (comparable to the Fat Man plutonium-only weapon that exploded over Nagasaki), but significantly less than the expected amount. Since it was a military effects test, the DoD specified that the device should have a calibrated yield within 10% of ratings. However, weapon designers at Los Alamos substituted the experimental core without notifying the DoD. The unexpected lower yield, 33% less than the DoD expected, ruined many of the military's tests. [3] [4]
The Civil Defense Apple-2 shot on May 5, 1955 was intended to test various building construction types in a nuclear blast. An assortment of buildings, including residential houses and electrical substations, were constructed at the site nicknamed "Survival Town" by some and "Doom Town" by others. [5] The buildings were populated with mannequins, and stocked with different types of canned and packaged foods. Not all of the buildings were destroyed in the blast, and some of them still stand at Area 1, Nevada Test Site. A short film about the blast, referred to as "Operation Cue", was distributed by the Federal Civil Defense Administration. The houses are still standing at 37°02′41″N116°04′27″W / 37.04476°N 116.07416°W , at the east and west ends of the road loop. They are stops on the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) tour.
From declassified documents dated February to May 1956, the Apple-2 shot, as part of Operation Teapot Project 35.5 "Effects of Nuclear Explosion on Records and Records Storage Equipment" was staged on the Nevada Test Site to determine the effects of nuclear explosions on various types of records and record storage equipment. [6]
Name [note 1] | Date time (UT) | Local time zone [note 2] | Location [note 3] | Elevation + height [note 4] | Delivery [note 5] | Purpose [note 6] | Device [note 7] | Yield [note 8] | Venting [note 9] | References | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wasp | February 18, 1955 19:59:59.2 | PST (−8 h) | NTS Area 7 37°05′12″N116°01′22″W / 37.0866°N 116.0228°W | 1,268 m (4,160 ft) + 230 m (750 ft) | free air drop | weapons development | 1 kt | I-131 venting detected, 160 kCi (5,900 TBq) | [7] [8] [9] [10] | Air defense test. Light weight implosion system, 120 lb (54 kg) and 22 in (560 mm) across. Yield below predictions. Desert Rock VI. | |
Moth | February 22, 1955 13:00:45.0 | PST (−8 h) | NTS Area 3 37°02′52″N116°01′19″W / 37.0477°N 116.022°W | 1,230 m (4,040 ft) + 90 m (300 ft) | tower | weapons development | XW-30 ? | 2 kt | I-131 venting detected, 320 kCi (12,000 TBq) | [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] | Proof test of XW30 air defense warhead.[ dubious ] Used an ENS (external neutron source) 'Zipper' initiator. Desert Rock VI. |
Tesla | March 1, 1955 13:00:30.3 | PST (−8 h) | NTS Area 9b 37°07′32″N116°02′54″W / 37.1255°N 116.0484°W | 1,282 m (4,206 ft) + 90 m (300 ft) | tower | weapons development | Cleo I | 7 kt | I-131 venting detected, 1.2 MCi (44 PBq) | [7] [8] [9] [10] | First successful UCRL test; used linear implosion, ZIPPER initiator. Desert Rock VI. |
Turk | March 7, 1955 13:00:20.2 | PST (−8 h) | NTS Area 2 37°08′18″N116°07′06″W / 37.1383°N 116.1184°W | 1,370 m (4,490 ft) + 150 m (490 ft) | tower | weapons development | XW-27D "Linda" lightweight secondary [12] | 43 kt | I-131 venting detected, 6.4 MCi (240 PBq) | [7] [8] [9] [10] | Test of primary for XW-27 class D, lightweight thermonuke, in an XW-27 mockup. Desert Rock VI. |
Hornet | March 12, 1955 13:19:59.8 | PST (−8 h) | NTS Area 3a 37°02′25″N116°01′34″W / 37.0402°N 116.0261°W | 1,224 m (4,016 ft) + 90 m (300 ft) | tower | weapons development | XW-30 ? | 4 kt | I-131 venting detected, 620 kCi (23,000 TBq) | [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] | Boosted XW-30. A sealed pit D-T gas boost design, with ZIPPER initiator. |
Bee | March 22, 1955 13:04:59.9 | PST (−8 h) | NTS Area 7 37°05′41″N116°01′29″W / 37.0947°N 116.0248°W | 1,294 m (4,245 ft) + 150 m (490 ft) | tower | weapons development | XW-25 ? | 8 kt | I-131 venting detected, 1.2 MCi (44 PBq) | [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] | LASL sealed pit D-T gas boosted design, with ZIPPER initiator. Desert Rock VI. |
ESS | March 23, 1955 20:00:30.0 | PST (−8 h) | NTS Area 10 37°10′06″N116°02′41″W / 37.1683°N 116.0448°W | 1,298 m (4,259 ft) - 20 m (66 ft) | cratering | weapon effect | Mk-6 HE | 1 kt | I-131 venting detected, 140 kCi (5,200 TBq) | [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] | "Effects Sub-surface". Test for ADM (Atomic Demolition Munition). Desert Rock VI. |
Apple-1 | March 29, 1955 12:00:55.1 | PST (−8 h) | NTS Area 4 37°05′44″N116°06′13″W / 37.0955°N 116.1037°W | 1,317 m (4,321 ft) + 150 m (490 ft) | tower | weapons development | 14 kt | I-131 venting detected, 2 MCi (74 PBq) | [7] [8] [9] [10] | Primary failed; expected 40 kt. Desert Rock VI. | |
Wasp Prime | March 29, 1955 17:59:54.8 | PST (−8 h) | NTS Area 7 37°05′12″N116°03′31″W / 37.0866°N 116.0586°W | 1,261 m (4,137 ft) + 230 m (750 ft) | free air drop | weapons development | 3.2 kt | I-131 venting detected, 450 kCi (17,000 TBq) | [7] [8] [9] [10] | Repeat of Wasp. Desert Rock VI. | |
HA | April 6, 1955 18:00:04.1 | PST (−8 h) | NTS Area 1 37°01′43″N116°03′31″W / 37.0286°N 116.0586°W | 1,280 m (4,200 ft) + 11.16 kilometres (6.93 mi) | parachuted | weapon effect | 3.2 kt | I-131 venting detected, 450 kCi (17,000 TBq) | [7] [8] [9] [10] | Last airdrop over continental U.S. "High altitude" test of air-air missile warhead similar to Wasp Prime; parachute retarded (only one at NTS). | |
Post | April 9, 1955 12:00:30.2 | PST (−8 h) | NTS Area 9 37°07′21″N116°02′05″W / 37.1226°N 116.0347°W | 1,294 m (4,245 ft) + 90 m (300 ft) | tower | weapons development | Cleo II | 2 kt | I-131 venting detected, 340 kCi (13,000 TBq) | [7] [8] [9] [10] | LLNL Linear implosion. ENS initiated. |
MET | April 15, 1955 19:00:15.3 | PST (−8 h) | NTS Area 5 36°47′53″N115°55′47″W / 36.798°N 115.9298°W | 940 m (3,080 ft) + 120 m (390 ft) | tower | weapon effect | 22 kt | I-131 venting detected, 3.1 MCi (110 PBq) | [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] | "Military Effects Tower". Supposed to be a standard effects test, LASL clandestinely substituted experimental U233/Pu core, thus undershot estimated yield by a third. Desert Rock VI. | |
Apple-2 | May 5, 1955 12:00:10.0 | PST (−8 h) | NTS Area 1 37°03′11″N116°06′12″W / 37.053°N 116.1034°W | 1,294 m (4,245 ft) + 150 m (490 ft) | tower | weapons development | 29 kt | I-131 venting detected, 4.1 MCi (150 PBq) | [7] [8] [9] [10] | Retry of Apple-1. Desert Rock VI. Operation Cue, civil defense exercise. | |
Zucchini | May 15, 1955 11:59:59.9 | PST (−8 h) | NTS Area 7 37°05′41″N116°01′29″W / 37.0947°N 116.0248°W | 1,294 m (4,245 ft) + 150 m (490 ft) | tower | weapons development | 28 kt | I-131 venting detected, 4 MCi (150 PBq) | [7] [8] [9] [10] | Test of Class D primary/secondary system. |
Table notes:
Operation Ivy was the eighth series of American nuclear tests, coming after Tumbler-Snapper and before Upshot–Knothole. The two explosions were staged in late 1952 at Enewetak Atoll in the Pacific Proving Ground in the Marshall Islands.
Operation Latchkey was a series of 38 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1966–1967 at the Nevada Test Site. These tests followed the Operation Flintlock series and preceded the Operation Crosstie series.
The United States's Bowline nuclear test series was a group of 47 nuclear tests conducted in 1968–1969. These tests followed the Operation Crosstie series and preceded the Operation Mandrel series.
Operation Quicksilver was a series of 16 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1978–1979 at the Nevada Test Site. These tests followed the Operation Cresset series and preceded the Operation Tinderbox series.
Operation Ranger was the fourth American nuclear test series. It was conducted in 1951 and was the first series to be carried out at the Nevada Test Site. All the bombs were dropped by B-50D bombers and exploded in the open air over Frenchman Flat (Area 5).
Operation Greenhouse was the fifth American nuclear test series, the second conducted in 1951 and the first to test principles that would lead to developing thermonuclear weapons. Conducted at the new Pacific Proving Ground, on islands of the Enewetak Atoll, it mounted the devices on large steel towers to simulate air bursts. This series of nuclear weapons tests was preceded by Operation Ranger and succeeded by Operation Buster-Jangle.
Operation Upshot–Knothole was a series of eleven nuclear test shots conducted in 1953 at the Nevada Test Site. It followed Operation Ivy and preceded Operation Castle.
Operation Wigwam involved a single test of the Mark 90 "Betty" nuclear bomb. It was conducted between Operation Teapot and Project 56 on May 14, 1955, about 500 miles (800 km) southwest of San Diego, California. 6,800 personnel aboard 30 ships were involved in Wigwam. The purpose of Wigwam was to determine the vulnerability of submarines to deeply detonated nuclear weapons, and to evaluate the feasibility of using such weapons in a combat situation. The task force commander, Admiral John Sylvester, was embarked on the task force flagship USS Mount McKinley. Wigwam was the first atomic test in the deep ocean, and it remains the only test that has been conducted in water deeper than 1,000 ft (300 m).
Operation Buster–Jangle was a series of seven nuclear weapons tests conducted by the United States in late 1951 at the Nevada Test Site. Buster–Jangle was the first joint test program between the DOD and Los Alamos National Laboratories. As part of Operation Buster, 6,500 troops were involved in the Operation Desert Rock I, II, and III exercises in conjunction with the tests. The last two tests, Operation Jangle, evaluated the cratering effects of low-yield nuclear devices. This series preceded Operation Tumbler–Snapper and followed Operation Greenhouse.
Operation Hardtack II was a series of 37 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1958 at the Nevada Test Site. These tests followed the Operation Argus series and preceded the Operation Nougat series.
Operation Tumbler–Snapper was a series of nuclear weapons tests conducted by the United States in early 1952 at the Nevada Test Site. The Tumbler–Snapper series of tests followed Operation Buster–Jangle and preceded Operation Ivy.
Operation Sunbeam was a series of four nuclear tests conducted at the United States's Nevada Test Site in 1962. Operation Sunbeam tested tactical nuclear warheads; the most notable was the Davy Crockett.
The United States's Praetorian nuclear test series was a group of 19 nuclear tests conducted in 1981–1982. These tests followed the Operation Guardian series and preceded the Operation Phalanx series.
Operation Charioteer was a series of 16 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1985–1986 at the Nevada Test Site. These tests followed the Operation Grenadier series and preceded the Operation Musketeer series.
The United States's Cornerstone nuclear test series was a group of 11 nuclear tests conducted in 1988–1989. These tests followed the Operation Touchstone series and preceded the Operation Aqueduct series.
The United States's Aqueduct nuclear test series was a group of 10 nuclear tests conducted in 1989–1990. These tests followed the Operation Cornerstone series and preceded the Operation Sculpin series.
The United States's Grommet nuclear test series was a group of 34 nuclear tests conducted in 1971–1972. These tests followed the Operation Emery series and preceded the Operation Toggle series.
The United States's Flintlock nuclear test series was a group of 47 nuclear tests conducted in 1965–1966. These tests followed the Operation Whetstone series and preceded the Operation Latchkey series.
Operation Project 56 was a series of 4 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1955–1956 at the Nevada Test Site. These tests followed the Operation Wigwam series and preceded the Operation Redwing series.
Project 57 was an open-air nuclear test conducted by the United States at the Nellis Air Force Range in 1957, following Operation Redwing, and preceding Operation Plumbbob. The test area, also known as Area 13, was a 10 miles (16 km) by 16 miles (26 km) block of land abutting the northeast boundary of the Nevada National Security Site.