Operation Hardtack II

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Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox nuclear weapons test

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Operation Hardtack II[1] 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.

With test moratoriums on the horizon, American weapons labs rushed out many new designs. A hard deadline for testing was set at midnight (0000 hrs), 31 October 1958, as negotiations were set to start that day, and the schedule shows it, with 29 tests executed in October, four of them on the last day. One other test was cancelled because weather delays postponed it across the midnight deadline. After the conclusion of Hardtack II, the United States announced a unilateral testing moratorium, which the Soviet Union joined after two last tests on 1 and 3 November.[2] In September 1961, the Soviet Union resumed nuclear testing — including the test of the most powerful nuclear device ever designed, the Tsar Bomba, in October — and the United States followed suit with Operation Nougat.

Nuclear tests

Tamalpais

The Tamalpais test was conducted in the U12b.02 adit of Rainier Mesa by Lawrence Radiation Laboratory on October 8, 1958.[3] The shot took place in a 394-foot-long hook-shaped drift ending in an unusually large test chamber lined with salt blocks as part of an experiment in preparation for Project Gnome.[4][5] Additional experiments included measuring permanent tunnel displacement, seismic ground shock measurement, gas sampling by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and electromagnetic pulse measurement by the Department of Defense Effects Test Group.Template:R[6][7] The detonation of the .072 kiloton device released significant radioactive contamination and damage to the U12 tunnel complex, with radiation levels of 50R/h at the main portal and in the 10,000 R/h range in the tunnel immediately following detonation.[6][8]Template:Rp The following day, workers reentered the tunnel and triggered a significant hydrogen gas explosion that further damaged the tunnel and injured three workers. Following the tunnel's evacuation, a second hydrogen explosion occurred later the same day.[5][8]Template:Rp

Adams

Adams was planned to be the final test of Hardtack II, but due to unfavorable winds the shot was never fired. The shot was intended to be a balloon test, and had been fully assembled and raised to firing altitude when it was cancelled. After midnight and the start of the moratorium, the device was lowered to the ground and disassembled. The Soviet Union would continue nuclear testing until 3 November.[9]

A 31 October 1958 meeting of the Atomic Energy Commission following the cancellation resulted in the following note:[10]

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[[[:Template:Zwsp]]General Alfred StarbirdTemplate:Zwsp] said there will always be a question as to whether the final shot should have been fired in view of its importance [redacted] but he believed that the other considerations were of overriding importance.

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List of nuclear tests

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United States' Hardtack II series tests and detonations
Name [note 1] Date time (UT) Local time zone[note 2][11] Location[note 3] Elevation + height [note 4] Delivery [note 5]
Purpose [note 6] 		Device[note 7] Yield[note 8] Fallout[note 9] References Notes
OteroScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 20:00:00.2 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area U3q Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert–Template:Convert underground shaft,
safety experiment 		XW-54 ? Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][13][3] 1-point test, failed, device similar to HT-I Sequoia.
BernalilloScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 19:30:00.2 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area U3h (n?) Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert–Template:Convert underground shaft,
safety experiment 		XW-54 Template:Sort Venting detected on site [1][12][3] 1-point test, repeat of Otero, also failed.
EddyScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 14:00:00.2 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area B7b ~ Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert balloon,
weapons development 		Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][3] Template:Convert test device successful.
LunaScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 19:00:00.2 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area U3m Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert–Template:Convert underground shaft,
safety experiment 		XW-54 ? Template:Sort Venting detected on site [1][12][13][3] 1-point test, repeat of Otero/Bernalillo, still unsafe.
MercuryScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 22:00:00.0 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area U12f.01 Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert–Template:Convert tunnel,
safety experiment 		XW-47 primary ? Template:Sort [1][12][13][3][14] 1-point test, declared success despite yield, XW-42 test, similar to Pascal-C and San Juan devices.
ValenciaScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 20:00:00.2 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area U3r Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert–Template:Convert underground shaft,
safety experiment 		XW-42 ? Template:Sort Venting detected on site [1][12][13][3] 1-point test, declared success despite yield, similar to Pascal-C and San Juan devices.
MarsScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 00:00:00.2 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area U12f.02 Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert–Template:Convert tunnel,
safety experiment 		XW-48 Template:Sort Venting detected on site [1][12][13][3][14] 1-point test, similar to Tamalpais and Ceres.
MoraScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 14:05:00.1 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area B7b ~ Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert balloon,
weapons development 		XW-54 Gnat Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][3] Full yield test of device similar to Otero et al., fizzled.
HidalgoScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 14:10:00.1 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area B7b ~ Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert balloon,
safety experiment 		Moccasin Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][3] This 1-point test failed; similar to Coulomb-C.
ColfaxScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 16:15:00.2 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area U3k Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert–Template:Convert underground shaft,
safety experiment 		XW-54 Gnat Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][3] 1-point test of device similar to Otero et al., failed. Unstemmed shaft.
TamalpaisScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 22:00:00.13 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area U12b.02 Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert–Template:Convert tunnel,
weapons development 		XW-48 Template:Sort [1][12][13][3][14] Full yield test, similar to Mars and Ceres.
QuayScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 14:30:00.1 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area 7c Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert tower,
weapons development 		XW-50 ? Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][13][3] Concept feasibility test, similar to HT-I Linden.
LeaScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 13:20:00.1 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area B7b ~ Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert balloon,
weapons development 		XW-54 Gnat ? Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][13][3][15] Full yield test of device similar to Otero et al., fizzled.
NeptuneScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 18:00:00.2 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area U12c.03 Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert–Template:Convert tunnel,
safety experiment 		XW-47 Template:Sort Venting detected on site [1][12][3][14] 1-point test, failed, similar to HT-I Hickory and HT-II Titania. First NTS subsidence crater at Rainier despite low yield and depth buried.
HamiltonScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 16:00:00.2 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area 5 Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert tower,
weapons development 		XW-51 ? Quail Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][13][3] Davy Crockett prototype test, fizzled, extremely small device (Template:Convert).
LoganScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 06:00:00.14 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area A12e.02 Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert–Template:Convert tunnel,
weapons development 		Template:Sort [1][12][3][14] ABM warhead test, small (Template:Convert, Template:Convert) kiloton-range device, successful.
Dona AnaScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 14:20:00.1 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area B7b ~ Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert balloon,
weapons development 		XW-54 Gnat Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][3] Low yield test, similar to Otero et al.
VestaScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 23:00:00.2 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area S9e Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + 0 dry surface,
safety experiment 		XW-47 primary Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][13][3] 1-point test, failed, similar to Wrangell, Oberon, Sanford.
Rio ArribaScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 14:25:00.1 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area 3s Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert tower,
weapons development 		Mk-7 Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][13][3] Low yield Mk-7, successful, fired on wooden tower.
San JuanScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 14:30:00.2 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area U3p Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert–Template:Convert underground shaft,
safety experiment 		XW-42 ? Template:Sort [1][12][13][3] 1-point test, successful, safe design extrapolated from Pascal-C and HT-II Valencia. Unstemmed shaft.
SocorroScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 13:30:00.2 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area B7b ~ Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert balloon,
weapons development 		XW-54 Gnat ? Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][13][3][15] Full yield test of XW-54 primary, successful, similar to Otero et al.
WrangellScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 16:50:00.1 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area 5 Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert balloon,
weapons development 		XW-47 Canary ? Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][13][3] Full yield test fizzle, similar to Vesta, Oberon, Sanford.
OberonScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 20:30:?? PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area 8a Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert tower,
safety experiment 		XW-47 primary Canary ? Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][13][3][16] 1-point test, successful, similar to Vesta, Wrangell, Sanford.
RushmoreScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 23:40:00.1 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area B9a ~ Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert balloon,
weapons development 		XW-47 primary Canary ? Template:Sort [1][12][13][3] Low yield test, fizzled, similar to Mercury, Neptune, Titania.
CatronScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 15:00:00.2 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area 3t Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert tower,
safety experiment 		XW-54 Gnat Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][3] 1-point test, similar to Mora, failed, fired on wooden tower.
JunoScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 16:01:00.2 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area S9f Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + 0 dry surface,
safety experiment 		Logan Template:Sort [1][12][13][3] 1-point test to determine safety limits.
CeresScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 04:00:00.2 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area 8b Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert tower,
safety experiment 		XW-48 AFAP Template:Sort [1][12][13][3] 1-point test of atomic artillery shell, similar to Tamalpais and Mars.
SanfordScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 10:20:00.1 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area 5 Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert balloon,
weapons development 		XW-47 primary Canary ? Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][13][3] Full yield test, successful, similar to Vesta, Oberon, Wrangell.
De BacaScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 16:00:00.1 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area B7b ~ Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert balloon,
weapons development 		XW-54 Gnat Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][3][15] Full yield test, disappointing yield, similar to Catron and Mora.
ChavezScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 14:30:?? PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area 3u Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert tower,
safety experiment 		XW-54 Gnat Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][13][3][16] 1-point test of device similar to De Baca, failed, fired on wooden tower.
EvansScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 00:00:00.15 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area U12b.04 Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert–Template:Convert tunnel,
weapons development 		XW-47 primary Canary ? Template:Sort Venting detected on site [1][12][13][3][14] Full yield test fizzle, similar to Blanca.
MazamaScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 11:20:?? PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area 9 Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert tower,
weapons development 		Template:Sort [1][12][13][3][16] Fizzle.
HumboldtScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 14:45:00.1 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area 3v Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert tower,
weapons development 		XW-51 ? Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][13][3] Repeat of Hamilton with higher yield, extremely small device (16 kg).
Santa FeScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 03:00:00.1 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area B7b ~ Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert balloon,
weapons development 		XW-54 Gnat Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][3][15] Similar to devices fired in many preceding shots, yield below predictions.
GanymedeScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 11:00:?? PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area S9g Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + 0 dry surface,
safety experiment 		W-45 Template:Sort [1][12][13][3][16] 1-point test of W-45/Swan variant, successful.
BlancaScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 15:00:00.15 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area U12e.05 Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert–Template:Convert tunnel,
weapons development 		XW-47 primary Canary Template:Sort Venting detected, Template:Convert [1][12][13][3][14][15] Test of alternate W-47 primary in TN mockup, successful, similar to Evans, shot vented to atmosphere through the side of the mesa.
TitaniaScript error: No such module "anchor". Template:Dts 20:34:00.2 PST (–8 hrs) NTS Area 8c Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert tower,
safety experiment 		XW-47 primary Canary Template:Sort [1][12][13][3] 1-point test of original XW-47 primary, declared safe despite yield, similar to HT-I Hickory and HT-II Neptune.
Adams
(canceled)Script error: No such module "anchor". 		Template:Dts PST (–8 hrs) NTS ~ Template:Coord Template:SortTemplate:Convert + ??? Balloon,
weapons development 		Template:Sort Test planned for Hardtack II, but held up by atmospherics that would have shattered windows in Las Vegas, and could not be completed in time before start of moratorium negotiations.

Template:Reflist

References

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External links

Template:US Nuclear Tests Template:Authority control

  1. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LT_1
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LT_6
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  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  10. ↑ Template:Cite report
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  12. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LT_150
  13. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LT_24
  14. ↑ a b c d e f g Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LT_34
  15. ↑ a b c d e Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LT_148
  16. ↑ a b c d Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named LT_163


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