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A W-49 warhead/MK-4RV was detonated at an altitude
of 248 miles. The test was quite spectacular with impressive light
displays from an artificial aurora lasting up to seven minutes. The
electromagnetic pulse (EMP) from the test sent power line surges throughout
Oahu (800 miles away) knocking out street lighting, blowing fuzes and circuit
breakers, and triggering burglar alarms. |
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The training
squadron personnel received prior to commencing Operation Dominic aided
them in reducing the time spent at the 10 to 12 foot distance from the
pod which was contaminated with radio active particles. |
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THOR rocket engine malfunctioned
immediately after ignition, and the range safety officer fired the destruct
system while the missile was still on the launch pad. |
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Bluegill Triple Prime, on 26
Oct '62, was the fourth and finally successful launch of this high altitude
test using the W-50 warhead in a Mk 4 RV. The 1000 kt warhead detonated
at an altitude of 31 miles, approximately 19 miles south-southwest of Johnston
Island. |
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Housatonic was the largest nuclear warhead detonated
(8,300 kt) in the Johnston Island area. It was the last air
dropped weapon of the U.S. atmospheric test series and was spectacularly
successful. |
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Kingfish was the last THOR launched device which
was detonated on 1 November. The detonation occurred at an altitude
of 60 miles. The dramatic visual (and other) effects were observed over
much of the central Pacific. |
