Operation Tumbler-Snapper
| Operation Tumbler-Snapper | |
|---|---|
 Photograph taken milliseconds after detonation of nuclear device from the "Snapper" phase of the "Tumbler-Snapper" test series. (The shot tower is faintly visible below fireball). |
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| Information | |
| Country | United States |
| Test site | Nevada Test Site |
| Period | April - June 1952 |
| Number of tests | 8 |
| Test type | Atmospheric tests |
| Device type | Fission |
| Max. yield | 31 kt |
| Navigation | |
| Previous test | Operation Buster-Jangle |
| Next test | Operation Ivy |
Operation Tumbler-Snapper was a series of atomic 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.
The Tumbler phase consisted of three airdrops which were intended to help explain discrepancies in the actual and estimated blast shock wave damage noted on previous detonations, and to establish more accurately the optimum height of burst.
The Snapper phase consisted of 1 airdrop and 4 tower shots intended to test various new weapons developments.
The military exercise Desert Rock IV, involving 7350 soldiers, took place during the test series. They trained during the Charlie, Dog, and George shots and observed shot Fox.
The individual shots were[1]:
| Name | Date | Area | Yield | Device | Type | Purpose | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Able | 1 April 1952 | Area 5 | 1 kt | Airdrop | Weapons Effects | ||
| Baker | 15 April 1952 | Area 7 | 1 Kt | Airdrop | Weapons Effects | ||
| Charlie | 22 April 1952 | Area 7 | 31 Kt | Airdrop | Weapons Related | ||
| Dog | 1 May 1952 | Area 7 | 19 Kt | TX-7 | Airdrop | Weapons Related | |
| Easy | 7 May 1952 | Area 1 | 12 Kt | Tower | Weapons Related | First use of beryllium as a tamper material | |
| Fox | 25 May 1952 | Area 4 | 11 Kt | Mark 5 | Tower | Weapons Related | |
| George | 1 June 1952 | Area 3 | 15 Kt | Mark 5 | Tower | Weapons Related | |
| How | 5 June 1952 | Area 2 | 14 Kt | Tower | Weapons Related |
[edit] References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Operation Tumbler-Snapper |
- ^ United States Nuclear Tests July 1945 to 31 December 1992, NRDC NWD 94-1, Robert Standish Norris and Thomas B. Cochran, accessed Dec 11, 2007
[edit] External links
- Troops shown three miles from 'ground zero' of bomb
- The short film Nuclear Test Film - Operation Tumbler-Snapper (1952) is available for free download at the Internet Archive [more]
- The short film A-Bomb Blast Effects (1959) is available for free download at the Internet Archive [more]
- Video clip: Historic footage of troops observing airdrop "Dog" from Camp Desert Rock
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Coordinates: 37°08′10″N 116°04′07″W / 37.13611°N 116.06861°W
