Operation Upshot–Knothole

Operation Upshot–Knothole was a series of eleven nuclear test shots conducted in 1953 at the Nevada Test Site. It followed Operation Ivy and preceded Operation Castle.

Over 21,000 soldiers took part in the ground exercise Desert Rock V in conjunction with the Upshot-Knothole Grable shot.<ref>Template:Cite reportTemplate:Webarchive</ref> Grable was a 280mm Artillery Fired Atomic Projectile (AFAP) shell fired from the "Atomic Cannon" and was viewed by a number of high-ranking military officials.

The test series was notable as containing the first time an AFAP shell was fired (GRABLE Shot), the first two shots (both fizzles) by University of California Radiation Laboratory—Livermore (now Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), and for testing out some of the thermonuclear components that would be used for the massive thermonuclear series of Operation Castle. One primary device (RACER) was tested in thermonuclear system mockup assemblies of TX-14, TX-16, and TX-17/TX-24, to examine and evaluate the behaviour of radiation cases and the compression of the secondary geometries by the primary's x-rays prior to full-scale testing during Castle.<ref name="swordsoarIII">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Refpage Following RACER's dodgy performance, the COBRA primary was used in the emergency capability ALARM CLOCK, JUGHEAD, RUNT I, RUNT II thermonuclear devices, as well as in the SHRIMP device.<ref name="swordsoarIII" />Template:Refpage RACER IV (as redesigned and proof-tested in the Simon test) was employed as primary for the ZOMBIE,<ref name="swordsoarIII" />Template:Refpage RAMROD and MORGENSTERN<ref name="swordsoarIII" />Template:Refpage devices.

Navy scientist Pauline Silvia conducted experiments during the tests, and would later be profiled in the 2010 documentary Atomic Mom.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Nuclear tests

Annie

Planned yield for Annie was Template:Convert, actual yield based on radiochemical analysis was Template:Convert.<ref>Template:Cite report</ref>

Nancy

Planned yield for Nancy was Template:Convert, actual yield based on radiochemical analysis was Template:Convert.Template:Sfn

Simon

Planned yield for Simon was Template:Convert, actual yield based on radiochemical analysis was Template:Convert.Template:Sfn

Harry

Planned yield for Harry was Template:Convert, actual yield based on radiochemical analysis was Template:Convert.Template:Sfn

Encore

Planned yield for Encore was Template:Convert, actual yield based on radiochemical analysis was Template:Convert.Template:Sfn

List of tests

United States' Upshot-Knothole series tests and detonations

Name<ref group=note>The US, France and Great Britain 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.</ref>	Date time (UT)	Local time zone<ref group=note>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.</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>	Location<ref group=note>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.</ref>	Elevation + height<ref group=note>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.</ref>	Delivery<ref group=note>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.</ref> Purpose<ref group=note>Include weapons development, weapon effects, safety test, transport safety test, war, science, joint verification and industrial/peaceful, which may be further broken down.</ref>	Device<ref group=note>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.</ref>	Yield<ref group=note>Estimated energy yield in tons, kilotons, and megatons. A ton of TNT equivalent is defined as 4.184 gigajoules (1 gigacalorie).</ref>	Fallout<ref group=note>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.</ref>	References	Notes
AnnieTemplate:Anchor	Template:Dts 13:20:00.3	PST (-8 hrs)	NTS Area 3	Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert	tower, weapons development	TX-5HE "XR-3" Type D pit	Template:Sort	I-131 detected, Template:Convert	<ref name=LT_150 /><ref name=LT_148 /><ref name=LT_24 /><ref name=LT_6 /><ref name=LT_1 />	Investigated yield-vs-initiation time curve. Live news coverage. Desert Rock V. Two 2-story houses, 50 autos, bomb shelters in effects test.
NancyTemplate:Anchor	Template:Dts 13:10:00.0	PST (-8 hrs)	NTS Area 4	Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert	tower, weapons development	TX-14 "Nevada Zombie"	Template:Sort	I-131 detected, Template:Convert	<ref name=LT_150 /><ref name=LT_148 /><ref name=LT_24 /><ref name=LT_6 /><ref name=LT_1 />	Component test of TX-14<ref name="swordsoarIII" />Template:Refpage containing minimal quantities of Li-6D.<ref name="swordsoarIII" />Template:Refpage Desert Rock V. First proof-test of the RACER boosted primary with disappointing performance.Template:Refn
RuthTemplate:Anchor	Template:Dts 13:00:00.0	PST (-8 hrs)	NTS Area 7	Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert	tower, weapons development	MK-6<ref name="swordsoarVII">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Refpage "Hydride I"	Template:Sort	I-131 detected, Template:Convert	<ref name=LT_150 /><ref name=LT_148 /><ref name=LT_6 /><ref name=LT_1 />	1st UCRL device, a uranium deuteride core,<ref name="swordsoarIII" />Template:Refpage meant to explore deuterated polyethylene mixed with uranium as thermonuclear fuel,<ref name="herk">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Refpage<ref name="swordsoarIII" />Template:Refpage and if successful to lead also to a compact thermonuclear primary.<ref name="swordsoarIII" />Template:Refpage Predicted yield was 1.5 to 3 kilotons, max. theoretical was 20 kt.<ref name="swordsoarVII" />Template:Refpage Device fizzled - deuterium moderated (slowed-down) neutrons more than expected and quenched the reaction. Embarrassing for designers, as it left Template:Convert of tower still standing (see image of tower).
DixieTemplate:Anchor	Template:Dts 15:29:38.4	PST (-8 hrs)	NTS Area 7	Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert	free air drop, weapons development	MK-5D "DD-1"<ref name="swordsoarIII" />Template:Refpage	Template:Sort	I-131 detected, Template:Convert	<ref name=LT_150 /><ref name=LT_148 /><ref name=LT_24 /><ref name=LT_6 /><ref name=LT_1 />	TX-5D proof test, a boosting experiment using lithium deuteride in solid or crystalline form, investigating initiation via deuterium; a cheap method to initiate a chain reaction.<ref name="swordsoarIII" />Template:Refpage Exploded Template:Convert ENE of intended zero point.
RayTemplate:Anchor	Template:Dts 12:44:59.8	PST (-8 hrs)	NTS Area 4	Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert	tower, weapons development	MK-6<ref name="swordsoarVII" />Template:Refpage "Hydride II"	Template:Sort<ref name="OpUKSum">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Refpage	I-131 detected, Template:Convert	<ref name=LT_150 /><ref name=LT_148 /><ref name=LT_6 /><ref name=LT_1 />	2nd UCRL device, uranium deuteride<ref name="swordsoarIII" />Template:Refpage meant to explore deuterated polyethylene mixed with uranium as thermonuclear fuel,<ref name="herk" />Template:Refpage<ref name="swordsoarIII" />Template:Refpage and if successful to lead also to a compact thermonuclear primary;<ref name="swordsoarIII" />Template:Refpage Used different mix from Ruth<ref name="swordsoarIII" />Template:Refpage and it also fizzled. A 100-foot tower was apparently used to avoid embarrassment in case of fizzle.
BadgerTemplate:Anchor	Template:Dts 12:35:00.0	PST (-8 hrs)	NTS Area 2	Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert	tower, weapons development	TX-16 "Buzzard"	Template:Sort	I-131 detected, Template:Convert	<ref name=LT_150 /><ref name=LT_148 /><ref name=LT_24 /><ref name=LT_6 /><ref name=LT_1 />	Component test of the TX-16 using a cryogenic mockup secondary and the TX-16 radiation case. Also tested RACER primary, which performed below expectations again. Desert Rock V.
SimonTemplate:Anchor	Template:Dts 12:29:59.8	PST (-8 hrs)	NTS Area 1	Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert	tower, weapons development	TX-17/24 "Simultaneity"	Template:Sort	I-131 detected, Template:Convert	<ref name=LT_150 /><ref name=LT_148 /><ref name=LT_24 /><ref name=LT_6 /><ref name=LT_1 />	Component test of TX-17/24 series using the RACER IV primary, a modified RACER core containing two additional kilograms of HEU in the original design tested in Nancy, a thermonuclear secondary mockup.<ref name=LT_148 />
EncoreTemplate:Anchor	Template:Dts 15:29:55.4	PST (-8 hrs)	NTS Area 5	Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert	free air drop, weapon effect	MK-6D	Template:Sort	I-131 detected, Template:Convert	<ref name=LT_150 /><ref name=LT_148 /><ref name=LT_24 /><ref name=LT_6 /><ref name=LT_1 />	"Effects" test. Dropped Template:Convert SSW of target. Desert Rock V, bad exposures for troops and bad downwinder fallout.
HarryTemplate:Anchor	Template:Dts 12:04:59.5	PST (-8 hrs)	NTS Area 3	Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert	tower, weapons development	TX-13D "Hamlet"	Template:Sort	I-131 detected, Template:Convert	<ref name=LT_150 /><ref name=LT_148 /><ref name=LT_24 /><ref name=LT_6 /><ref name=LT_1 />	New hollow core design, most efficient pure-plutonium device under 100 kt indicates very good compression. Major effects testing of a high elevation explosion. Heaviest downwind contamination measured.
GrableTemplate:Anchor	Template:Dts 15:30:00.3	PST (-8 hrs)	Launch from NTS Areas 5, 11, Frenchman Flat: 5 Template:Coord, elv: Template:Convert; Detonation over NTS Template:Coord	Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert	gun deployed, weapon effect	W9 AFAP "Gun"	Template:Sort	I-131 detected, Template:Convert	<ref name=LT_150 /><ref name=LT_148 /><ref name=LT_24 /><ref name=LT_6 /><ref name=LT_1 />	The 2nd of four gun-type device tests. Fired from the M65 Atomic Cannon "Atomic Annie" Template:Convert downrange. 280mm shell, Template:Convert. Detonation at Template:Convert SW of target. Desert Rock V. Major effects test.
ClimaxTemplate:Anchor	Template:Dts 11:14:56.7	PST (-8 hrs)	NTS Area 7	Template:SortTemplate:Convert + Template:Convert	free air drop, weapons development	MK-7, "Cobra", Type D pit	Template:Sort	I-131 detected, Template:Convert	<ref name=LT_150 /><ref name=LT_148 /><ref name=LT_24 /><ref name=LT_6 /><ref name=LT_1 />	Proof test of a boosted MK-7 device, intended to be used as a primary in Castle. Initially it was intended only for the TX-15<ref name="swordsoarIII" />Template:Refpage. After RACER's inconsistent behaviour it was opted for all "emergency capability" devices instead.<ref name="swordsoarIII" />Template:Refpage. The bomb detonated Template:Convert NW of target. Composite implosion system in a Type D pit. Used Cyclotol 75/25 explosive mixture.

Gallery

• Upshot Knothole Grable.gif

  Full uncut detonation of Upshot-Knothole Grable, launched out of the Atomic Annie device on 5/25/1953. The footage at normal speed is about Template:Frac minutes.

• Grable Close Up.gif

  Close-up slow motion shot of Grable fire-ball, mach-stem and surface effects,

• UpshotKnotholeEncore.gif

  Upshot-Knothole Encore, 27-kilotons.

• UpshotKnotholeRuth2.gif

  Upshot-Knothole Ruth, 0.2-kilotons.

• UpshotKnotholeRuth1.gif

  Upshot-Knothole Ruth, Note close proximity to highway in foreground as to the scale of detonation.

• RUTH test tower 1953-03-31.jpg

  The mangled tower for the Ruth test. The explosion failed to level the testing tower, only somewhat damaging it.

• Operation Upshot-Knothole - Badger 001.jpg

  Upshot-Knothole Badger, 23 Kilotons

• Operation Upshot-Knothole - Harry.jpg

  Upshot-Knothole Harry, 32 Kilotons

• Upshot-Knothole Encore 001.jpg

  Encore's Mushroom Cloud from far away

• Upshot-Knothole Encore (1953) (cloud).jpg

  Encore's Mushroom Cloud

• Upshot-Knothole Nancy 001.jpg

  Upshot-Knothole Nancy, 24 Kilotons

• Upshot-Knothole Dixie 001.jpg

  Upshot-Knothole Dixie, 11 Kilotons

• Operation Upshot-Knothole - Ray - Detonation.ogv

  Upshot-Knothole Ray, 220 Tons

• Upshot-Knothole Simon 002.jpg

  Upshot-Knothole Simon, 43 Kilotons

• Project 30-18 - Operation Upshot-Knothole (Nevada Test Site) Detonation - DPLA - ba2f6b3d7a385526cfccf6d4298bf02e.jpg

  Grable's Mushroom Cloud

• Upshot-Knothole Annie 001.jpg

  Upshot-Knothole Annie, 16 Kilotons

• Upshot-Knothole Badger 001.jpg

  Badger's Mushroom Cloud

References

Notes

Citations

Bibliography

• Template:Cite report
• Chuck Hansen, Swords of Armageddon, Version 2 (Chukelea Publications, 1995–2007)

See also

• Nuclear artillery

External links

• Operation Upshot-Knothole
• Template:Internet Archive short film
• Template:Internet Archive short film
• Template:Internet Archive short film
• Operation Upshot-Knothole - 1953
• Film about Upshot Knothole Tests Template:Webarchive
• Rice, James. Downwind of the Atomic State: Atmospheric Testing and the Rise of the Risk Society. (New York University Press, 2023): https://nyupress.org/9781479815340/downwind-of-the-atomic-state/