Project 5.2 was established to determine minimum operational parameters for delivery of atomic weapons from medium bombardment aircraft. Three B-50D airplanes were selected and instrumented for the measurement of peak overpressure, thermal radiation and wing tip deflection. One of the airplanes was further instrumented for the measurement of wing, fuselage, and stabilizer bending moments, angular and linear accelerations and elevator positions. A flight pattern was established so that the positions of the three B-50's simulated the position which would be occupied by a bomb-dropping airplane relative to the point of detonation of the weapon. Gust loading of the horizontal stabilizer was determined to be the limiting structural parameter of the B-50 airplane for delivery of atomic weapons. Sufficiently precise and extensive data concerning the effects of atomic weapons on the B-50 were obtained to enable accurate definitions of general operational parameters for delivery of atomic weapons with this airplane.
Operation UPSHOT-KNOTHOLE, Nevada Proving Grounds, March-June 1953. Project 5.2. Atomic Weapon Effects on B-50 Type Aircraft in Flight
1953
131 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Nuclear Explosions & Devices , Aircraft , Nuclear explosion testing , Bomber aircraft , Nuclear explosion damage , Gust loads , Horizontal stabilizers , Wings , Bending moments , Overpressure , Thermal radiation , Wing tips , Deflection , Inflight , Weapon delivery , Nuclear weapons , Nevada , B-50 aircraft , NTPR(Nuclear Test Personnel Review) , Upshot Knothole Operation , U/A reports