Operation Dominic Explained

Operation Dominic
Picture Description:Dominic-Bighorn, 7.7 megatons.
Country:United States
Test Site:
Period:1962
Number Of Tests:31
Test Type:air drop, free air drop, high-altitude rocket (30–80 km), parachuted, underwater
Max Yield:9.96MtTNT
Next Series:Operation Fishbowl

Operation Dominic was a series of 31 nuclear test explosions ("shots") with a 38.1MtonTNT total yield conducted in 1962 by the United States in the Pacific. This test series was scheduled quickly, in order to respond in kind to the Soviet resumption of testing after the tacit 1958–1961 test moratorium. Most of these shots were conducted with free fall bombs dropped from B-52 bomber aircraft. Twenty of these shots were to test new weapons designs; six to test weapons effects; and several shots to confirm the reliability of existing weapons. The Thor missile was also used to lift warheads into near-space to conduct high-altitude nuclear explosion tests; these shots were collectively called Operation Fishbowl.[1]

Operation Dominic occurred during a period of high Cold War tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, since the Cuban Bay of Pigs Invasion had occurred not long before. Nikita Khrushchev announced the end of a three-year moratorium on nuclear testing on 30 August 1961, and Soviet tests recommenced on 1 September, initiating a series of tests that included the detonation of Tsar Bomba. President John F. Kennedy responded by authorizing Operation Dominic. It was the largest nuclear weapons testing program ever conducted by the United States and the last atmospheric test series conducted by the U.S., as the Limited Test Ban Treaty was signed in Moscow the following year.

The operation was undertaken by Joint Task Force 8.[2]

Shots

Sunset

The shot report lists the yield as 855ktTNT ±20% measured from a Bhangmeter and 930ktTNT ±10% from fireball analysis.[3] Other sources give the yield as .

Full list of shots

United States' Dominic series tests and detonations
- !style="background:#ffdead;" Name [4] !style="background:#efefef;" Date time (UT) !style="background:#ffdead;" Local time zone[5] [6] !style="background:#efefef;" Location[7] !style="background:#ffdead;" Elevation + height [8] !style="background:#efefef;" Delivery [9]
Purpose [10] !style="background:#efefef;"
Device[11] !style="background:#ffdead;" Yield[12] !style="background:#efefef;" class="unsortable" Fallout[13] !style="background:#ffdead;" class="unsortable" References !style="background:#efefef;" class="unsortable" Notes - ! Adobe 15:46:?? LINT (10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.59°N -157.32°W 0 + 884m (2,900feet) free air drop,
weapons development
XW-50X1-Y2[14] Verification test, similar to Aztec, Kingfish, Bluegill Triple Prime. Used in a Mk-39 Mod-1 Type 3 drop case. - ! Aztec 16:02:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.62°N -157.31°W 0 + 796m (2,612feet) air drop,
weapons development
similar to Adobe, Kingfish, Bluegill Triple Prime, yield slightly lower than expected; achieved 2.21 kt/kg. - ! Arkansas 18:02:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.58°N -157.26°W 0 + 1533m (5,030feet) parachuted,
weapons development
XW-56-X2 with Starling primary and Fife secondary. Highly successful; parachute retarded, only 600feet from aimpoint. 4.00 kt/kg. - ! Questa 19:05:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.63°N -157.32°W 0 + 1594m (5,230feet) air drop,
weapons development
XW-59 with Tsetse primary Similar to Alma, Rinconada, Sunset, yield considerably lower than expected. - ! Frigate Bird 23:30:?? jamt (−11 hrs)
Believed in use during Dominic, Fishbowl, HT I.
N/A + 2530m (8,300feet) high alt rocket (30–80 km),
weapons development
W47Y1 with Robin primary, Mk-1 RV Only US operational ballistic missile launch w/live warhead, Polaris A2 SLBM launched from, successfully detonated 2200yd from target. - ! Yukon 18:01:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.62°N -157.32°W 0 + 878m (2,881feet) parachuted,
weapons development
Calliope II with Kinglet primary 1st test of high fusion/low fission family; similar to Muskegon, Chetco, Nougat Arikaree, Hudson, Codsaw, Hoosic; yield slightly higher than expected. - ! Mesilla 17:01:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.58°N -157.3°W 0 + 747m (2,451feet) free air drop,
weapons development
Zippo I secondary Advanced primary and secondary concepts test, yield considerably lower than expected. - ! Muskegon 15:37:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.59°N -157.32°W 0 + 913m (2,995feet) parachuted,
weapons development
Kinglet primary and possibly with Harp secondary Advanced lightweight low fission concept, similar to Chetco and Yukon, slightly lower than expected yield. - ! Swordfish 20:02:05.9 PST (−8 hrs)
Pacific Ocean off California 31.245°N -124.212°W 0 - 198m (650feet) underwater,
weapon effect
Full scale RUR-5 ASROC ASW rocket proof test, similar to Nougat Chena, fired from at target 4348yd away. - ! Encino 17:03:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.58°N -157.31°W 0 + 1679m (5,509feet) free air drop,
weapons development
Verification of reduced yield variant of HT-I Elder shot. - ! Swanee 15:22:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.57°N -157.32°W 0 + 896m (2,940feet) parachuted,
weapons development
Clean W56 device, possibly a XW-65 progenitor "Clean" ABM warhead test, similar to Bluestone, possible W-65 progenitor, highly experimental, yield lower than expected. - ! Chetco 15:37:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.6°N -157.33°W 0 + 2105m (6,906feet) parachuted,
weapons development
Kiglet primary with Calliope I secondary Advanced light weight concept, similar to Muskegon and Yukon, yield close to predicted, only 200feet from target. - ! Tanana 16:09:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.6°N -157.3°W 0 + 2752m (9,029feet) parachuted,
weapons development
Kinglet primary with Calliope III secondary Fizzle with secondary fail, "radical" design. - ! Nambe 17:03:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.59°N -157.32°W 0 + 2176m (7,139feet) free air drop,
weapons development
Scarab primary with Zippo II secondary "Unique" design, advanced concepts test, yield lower than expected. - ! Alma 17:03:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.52°N -157.21°W 0 + 2702m (8,865feet) free air drop,
weapons development
Similar to Questa, Rinconada, Sunset. 3.12 kt/kg. - ! Truckee 15:37:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.58°N -157.3°W 0 + 2125m (6,972feet) parachuted,
weapons development
XW-58 (Kinglet primary with Tuba secoondary) Development and verification test for the Polaris A-3 weapon (3 MRV), satisfactory. - ! Yeso 17:01:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.5°N -157.24°W 0 + 2537m (8,323feet) free air drop,
weapons development
16-M device using Tsetse primary Advanced concepts test, similar to HT-I Koa, performed as expected. - ! Harlem 15:37:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.57°N -157.22°W 0 + 4160m (13,650feet) parachuted,
weapons development
W-47Y2 Robin primary with Fife secondary Successful, doubled W-47Y1 yield, 3.42 kt/kg. - ! Rinconada 16:01:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.56°N -157.23°W 0 + 2775m (9,104feet) free air drop,
weapons development
XW-59 "Wall" device Increased yield warhead test, successful, similar to Questa, Alma, Sunset. 3.48 kt/kg. - ! Dulce 16:01:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.59°N -157.28°W 0 + 2771m (9,091feet) free air drop,
weapons development
Zippo secondary Experimental lightweight, high efficiency design, similar to Mesilla, basic design adequacy confirmed. - ! Petit 15:01:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.57°N -157.28°W 0 + 4570m (14,990feet) parachuted,
weapons development
Kinglet primary with Oboe secondary Advanced concepts test, second LRL fizzle, no secondary. - ! Otowi 16:01:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.58°N -157.31°W 0 + 2746m (9,009feet) air drop,
weapons development
Zuppy primary with Zippo III secondary Advanced concepts test of "novel system". - ! Bighorn 15:19:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.37°N -157.24°W 0 + 3600m (11,800feet) air drop,
weapons development
Swan primary with Cello I-C secondary Advanced concepts test, successful. 4.14 kt/kg. - ! Bluestone 15:21:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.53°N -157.25°W 0 + 1518m (4,980feet) parachuted,
weapons development
XW-56-X2 prime device Similar to Swanee; 4.96 kt/kg. - ! Sunset 16:33:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.6°N -157.26°W 0 + 1500m (4,900feet) air drop,
weapons development
High yield advanced concepts test, similar to Questa, Alma, Rinconada, 4.06 kt/kg. - ! Pamlico 15:37:?? LINT (−10.67 hrs)
(−10 hrs, 40 min)
Kiritimati (Christmas Island), Kiribati 1.39°N -157.22°W 0 + 4370m (14,340feet) parachuted,
weapons development
Kinglet primary with Ripple I secondary [15] Advanced principles test for high-efficiency fusion burn, successful, last Christmas Island airdrop; 0.934 kt/kg (experimental drops are low usually). - ! Androscoggin 16:18:?? jamt (−11 hrs)
Believed in use during Dominic, Fishbowl, HT I.
Johnston Island, Johnston Atoll 13.8°N -172.1°W 0 + 3130m (10,270feet) air drop,
weapons development
Kinglet primary with Ripple II secondary Ripple II secondary, fizzle, retested in Housatonic shot. - ! Bumping 16:03:?? jamt (−11 hrs)
Believed in use during Dominic, Fishbowl, HT I.
Johnston Island, Johnston Atoll 14.6°N -168.3°W 0 + 3050m (10,010feet) air drop,
weapons development
Kinglet primary with Oboe secondary Retest of Petit, yield much lower than expected, test to improve yield-to-weight ratio. - ! Chama 16:01:?? jamt (−11 hrs)
Believed in use during Dominic, Fishbowl, HT I.
Johnston Island, Johnston Atoll 14.6°N -168.7°W 0 + 3650m (11,980feet) parachuted,
weapons development
Croton primary with either Thumbelina or Zuppy secondary Test of lightweight small diameter device, possible replacement for W-38, yield below predicted value. - ! Calamity 15:46:?? jamt (−11 hrs)
Believed in use during Dominic, Fishbowl, HT I.
Johnston Island, Johnston Atoll 14.6°N -168.4°W 0 + 3590m (11,780feet) air drop,
weapons development
Kinglet primary with Ripple III secondary Third drop test of specific device to maximize yield to weight ratio. - ! Housatonic 16:02:?? jamt (−11 hrs)
Believed in use during Dominic, Fishbowl, HT I.
Johnston Island, Johnston Atoll 13.7°N -172.2°W 0 + 3700m (12,100feet) air drop,
weapons development
Kinglet primary with Ripple II secondary Repeat of Androscoggin, successful, target accuracy within 100feet; last U.S. nuclear weapon airdrop. Reportedly 99.9% clean.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Space ghost . 7 May 2007 . . . 11 May 2007 . 9 May 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070509034318/http://www.thespacereview.com/article/863/1 . live .
  2. Web site: The Other Frigate Bird . Fall 2004 . Edward C. Whitman . Undersea Warfare: The Official Magazine of the U.S. Submarine Force . 6 August 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150329041813/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/usw/issue_24/frigate_bird.htm . 29 March 2015 .
  3. Schneiderhan, R C . 11 July 1962 . Shot Sunset, Shot Report . Los Alamos National Laboratory . 13 July 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210713071701/https://www.osti.gov/opennet/detail?osti-id=16135561 . live .
  4. The US, France and the UK have code-named their test events, while the USSR and China did not, and therefore have only test numbers (with some exceptions  - Soviet peaceful explosions were named). Word translations into English in parentheses unless the name is a proper noun. A dash followed by a number indicates a member of a salvo event. The US also sometimes named the individual explosions in such a salvo test, which results in "name1  - 1(with name2)". If test is canceled or aborted, then the row data like date and location discloses the intended plans, where known.
  5. To convert the UT time into standard local, add the number of hours in parentheses to the UT time; for local daylight saving time, add one additional hour. If the result is earlier than 00:00, add 24 hours and subtract 1 from the day; if it is 24:00 or later, subtract 24 hours and add 1 to the day. Historical time zone data obtained from the IANA time zone database.
  6. Web site: Time Zone Historical Database. iana.com. 8 March 2014. 11 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140311224729/http://www.ietf.org/timezones/. live.
  7. Rough place name and a latitude/longitude reference; for rocket-carried tests, the launch location is specified before the detonation location, if known. Some locations are extremely accurate; others (like airdrops and space blasts) may be quite inaccurate. "~" indicates a likely pro-forma rough location, shared with other tests in that same area.
  8. Elevation is the ground level at the point directly below the explosion relative to sea level; height is the additional distance added or subtracted by tower, balloon, shaft, tunnel, air drop or other contrivance. For rocket bursts the ground level is "N/A". In some cases it is not clear if the height is absolute or relative to ground, for example, Plumbbob/John. No number or units indicates the value is unknown, while "0" means zero. Sorting on this column is by elevation and height added together.
  9. Atmospheric, airdrop, balloon, gun, cruise missile, rocket, surface, tower, and barge are all disallowed by the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Sealed shaft and tunnel are underground, and remained useful under the PTBT. Intentional cratering tests are borderline; they occurred under the treaty, were sometimes protested, and generally overlooked if the test was declared to be a peaceful use.
  10. Include weapons development, weapon effects, safety test, transport safety test, war, science, joint verification and industrial/peaceful, which may be further broken down.
  11. Designations for test items where known, "?" indicates some uncertainty about the preceding value, nicknames for particular devices in quotes. This category of information is often not officially disclosed.
  12. Estimated energy yield in tons, kilotons, and megatons. A ton of TNT equivalent is defined as 4.184 gigajoules (1 gigacalorie).
  13. Radioactive emission to the atmosphere aside from prompt neutrons, where known. The measured species is only iodine-131 if mentioned, otherwise it is all species. No entry means unknown, probably none if underground and "all" if not; otherwise notation for whether measured on the site only or off the site, where known, and the measured amount of radioactivity released.
  14. Book: Chuck Hansen. 978-0-9791915-7-2. VII. Swords of Armageddon. 2007. 166. .
  15. Grams. Jon. 2021-05-28. Ripple: An Investigation of the World's Most Advanced High-Yield Thermonuclear Weapon Design. Journal of Cold War Studies. 23. 2. 133–161. 10.1162/jcws_a_01011. 235372369 . 1520-3972.