Operation Hardtack I
| Operation Hardtack I | |
|---|---|
 Hardtack Oak | |
| Information | |
| Country |  United States |
| Test site | Pacific Proving Grounds |
| Period | April–October 1958 |
| Number of tests | 35 |
| Max. yield | 9.3 Mt |
| Test chronology | |
Operation Hardtack I was a series of 35 nuclear tests conducted by the United States in 1958 in the Pacific Ocean.[1]
Operation Newsreel was a series of three high-altitude nuclear tests conducted as part of Hardtack I. The individual tests in the series were Orange, Teak and Yucca.[1]
Test Blasts
| Test Name | Date | Location | Yield | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yucca | 28 April 1958 | Enewetak Atoll | 1.7 kilotons | 85 nm NE of Enewetak, high-altitude balloon test at 86,000 feet for ABM development |
| Cactus | 5 May 1958 | Enewetak | 18 kilotons | Test of Mark-43 Primary 11°33′09″N 162°20′50″E / 11.55250°N 162.34722°E, crater has been filled with contaminated soil and debris and covered with concrete cap called "Cactus Dome".[2] |
| Fir | 11 May 1958 | Bikini Atoll | 1.36 megatons | 93.4% fusion yield |
| Butternut | 11 May 1958 | Enewetak | 81 kilotons | TX-46 test, primary only |
| Koa | 12 May 1958 | Enewetak | 1.37 megatons | XW-35 ICBM warhead test |
| Wahoo | 16 May 1958 | Enewetak | 9 kilotons | Deep underwater test (3200 ft.) |
| Holly | 20 May 1958 | Enewetak | 5.9 kilotons | |
| Nutmeg | 21 May 1958 | Bikini Atoll | 25.1 kilotons | |
| Yellowwood | 26 May 1958 | Enewetak | 330 kilotons | Fizzled, TX-46 test, 2.5 megaton yield predicted |
| Magnolia | 26 May 1958 | Enewetak | 57 kilotons | |
| Tobacco | 30 May 1958 | Enewetak | 11.6 kilotons | 2nd stage failed to ignite |
| Sycamore | 31 May 1958 | Bikini Atoll | 92 kilotons | Fizzle, 5 megaton yield predicted |
| Rose | 2 June 1958 | Enewetak | 15 kilotons | Fizzle, 125 kiloton yield predicted |
| Umbrella | 8 June 1958 | Enewetak | 8 kilotons | Shallow depth underwater shot (150 ft.) |
| Maple | 10 June 1958 | Bikini Atoll | 213 kilotons | 89% fission yield predicted |
| Aspen | 14 June 1958 | Bikini Atoll | 319 kilotons | Fired in Castle Bravo crater |
| Walnut | 14 June 1958 | Enewetak | 1.45 megatons | |
| Linden | 18 June 1958 | Enewetak | 11 kilotons | |
| Redwood | 27 June 1958 | Bikini Atoll | 412 kilotons | |
| Elder | 27 June 1958 | Enewetak | 880 kilotons | |
| Oak | 28 June 1958 | Enewetak | 8.9 megatons | TX-46 redesigned full-yield test, successful. |
| Hickory | 30 June 1958 | Bikini Atoll | 14 kilotons | |
| Sequoia | 1 July 1958 | Enewetak | 5.2 kilotons | |
| Cedar | 2 July 1958 | Bikini Atoll | 220 kilotons | |
| Dogwood | 5 July 1958 | Enewetak | 397 kilotons | |
| Poplar | 12 July 1958 | Bikini Atoll | 9.3 megatons | Highest test of the Dominic Series, 5th largest U.S. test overall |
| Scaevola | 14 July 1958 | Enewetak | zero | Zero yield safety test |
| Pisonia | 17 July 1958 | Enewetak | 255 kilotons | |
| Juniper | 22 July 1958 | Bikini Atoll | 65 kilotons | Final test at Bikini Atoll |
| Olive | 22 July 1958 | Enewetak | 202 kilotons | |
| Pine | 26 July 1958 | Enewetak | 2 megatons | "Clean" version of the three stage Mark-41 design, yield well below the 4-6 megaton prediction |
| Teak | 1 Aug., 1958 | Johnston Atoll | 3.8 megatons | ABM effects test, launched by the Redstone ballistic missile, with a 252,000 foot burst height. Miscalculation resulted in detonation directly above launch site. |
| Quince | 6 Aug., 1958 | Enewetak | zero | Fizzle |
| Orange | 12 Aug., 1958 | Johnston Atoll | 3.8 megatons | ABM effects test, launched on the Redstone ballistic missile, 141,000 foot burst height |
| Fig | 18 Aug., 1958 | Enewetak | 0.02 kilotons | Final test at Enewetak |
See also
References
- ^ a b U.S. Department of Energy / Nevada Operations Office, United States Nuclear Tests - July 1945 through September 1992, December 2000, DOE/NV-209 Rev 15
- ^ http://atlasobscura.com/place/cactus-dome
Bibliography
- Chuck Hansen, U. S. Nuclear Weapons: The Secret History (Arlington: AeroFax, 1988) ISBN 0-517-56740-7
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Operation Hardtack I.
- The short film Operation HARDTACK Military Effects Studies Part I: Basic Effects Structures and Materiel (1958) is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive.
- The short film Operation HARDTACK Military Effects Studies Part II: Underwater Tests (1958) is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive.
- The short film Operation HARDTACK Military Effects Studies Part III: High Altitude Tests (1958) is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive.
- The short film Operation HARDTACK Military Effects Studies: Part IV - Sub-kiloton effects is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive.