Operation Plumbbob

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Operation Plumbbob was a series of nuclear tests conducted by the United States Atomic Energy Commission at the Nevada Test Site in 1957. It is considered one of the largest, longest, and most controversial test series in the United States' nuclear testing program. The operation consisted of 29 explosions, of which two failed to produce any noticeable yield. The tests were designed to investigate a variety of nuclear weapons effects, including the effects of radiation on different materials and the military effects of nuclear weapons.

Background

The Nevada Test Site, established in 1951, was the primary location for the United States' continental nuclear tests. Operation Plumbbob was part of a larger series of tests aimed at improving the safety, effectiveness, and reliability of nuclear weapons. It was conducted during a period of intense Cold War competition, with both the United States and the Soviet Union rapidly expanding their nuclear arsenals.

Objectives

The primary objectives of Operation Plumbbob were to:

• Test new weapon designs, including those intended to minimize fallout.
• Study the effects of nuclear blasts on various structures and military equipment.
• Investigate the effects of radiation on living organisms, including the controversial exposure of military personnel to nuclear blasts.
• Develop and refine techniques for detecting underground nuclear tests.

Tests

Operation Plumbbob included a variety of tests, some of which have become infamous. Notable tests within the series include:

• Shot Hood: The largest atmospheric test conducted in the continental United States, with a yield of 74 kilotons.
• Shot Smoky: Notable for the exposure of military personnel and equipment to the blast, raising concerns about the long-term health effects of radiation.
• Shot Rainier: The first fully contained underground nuclear test, marking a significant milestone in the development of nuclear testing techniques.

Controversy

Operation Plumbbob has been the subject of significant controversy, particularly regarding the health effects of radiation exposure on military personnel and nearby civilian populations. Studies have linked the tests to increased rates of cancer and other diseases among those exposed to the fallout. The operation also raised ethical questions about the use of human subjects in military experiments.

Legacy

The legacy of Operation Plumbbob is complex. While it contributed significantly to the United States' nuclear capabilities and the development of safety measures for nuclear weapons, it also highlighted the dangers of nuclear testing, particularly the health risks associated with radiation exposure. The operation played a role in the eventual move towards the Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963, which prohibited all nuclear tests except those conducted underground, thereby reducing the risk of atmospheric fallout.

See Also

• Nuclear testing
• Nevada Test Site
• Cold War
• Limited Test Ban Treaty