The B-52: Delivering Nuclear tests on Operation Dominic 

Super surprisingly enough they all were...

Actually 50 of them were built (IIRC 27 of them were B-52As converted on the production line) and 27 of them were modified into the RB-52B.

How did you deduce the actual shot identity?

@@Muonium1 I have correctly identified photographs of the same event, from a different angle, where you could see the same group of men sitting on the ground in the background, whom you see during the heat and flash pulse. Those airmen covering their backs were protecting themselves from the strong thermal pulse. … More data as well.

Could be Arkansas too.

more precisely, to reflect the electromagnetic energy *before* and so it doesn't have a chance to turn INTO thermal energy.

Note the small underwing tanks (approximately 650 gallons useable) and the J57 engine pods. The tall tail BUFFs carried single or dual Mk 15 fusion weapons (nose to tail) on alert missions; later during the Vietnam War, the BUFFs could carry 27 to 51 conventional bombs (M117) internally with another 24 externally under the wing roots. With the BIG BELLY modifications on the D models, the internal load was increased to 84 Mk 82 free-fall bombs.

William Stromberg, the composer who worked on Trinity and Beyond

Last seen riding that “bronco.”

By flying high and (relatively) fast, and sometimes by retarding the bombs with parachutes. The purpose of the airburst was that a bomb exploding on the ground dissipates quicker by going "through" objects on the ground, and an airburst covers a larger area unmolested. Nuclear weapons are grim stuff, but that was their job and those employing them had to maximise the effectiveness.

Take a look at the other videos on this channel. One of them gives detailed explanations on how it is done.

The weapons planned for use were primarily fusion weapons with multi-megaton yields. The Mk 15 was a typical nuclear weapon of this early model of B-52 (B/C/D/E/F), but especially the B/C/D variants. The typical delivery modes were free-fall, loft, and retarded. Free-fall is self-explanatory. Toss or loft meant that the delivery aircraft would pull up before release, effectively tossing the weapon at the target. This release would allow the bomber to breakaway usually 135 to 155 degrees away from the target bearing. If the bomb casing and fuzing was sufficient to the task, the weapon could be set to detonate after impact. The retarded delivery would permit a low-altitude release which would give the bomber time to egress the target area.

Like hiding under your desk to protect yourself from a nuclear blast.

they are FAR too distant to have received any significant gamma dose at all.

Nay, I yield not. Have at thee!

No. The only type of B-52 still flying is the 'H' model.

Soon to be modified into the J model.

Many B models were employed in various tests and developmental programs. As a case in point, the X-15 and many other R&D air vehicles were dropped from B-52Bs modified for the purpose. Other B-52Bs dropped various “shapes” which were aerodynamic tests of various mark nuclear weapons and quite a few guided conventional weapons as well.

Freedom Fries

SAC and the U.S. Navy saved the West from a fate worse than death.

Delivering democracy

Agree, may we see these beautiful mushrooms / flowers all over the globe soon 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

@@Chilly_Billywell, Hillt Billy, are you some type of keyboard comedian by any chance ???

Personally I like the 60 year old technology. I don't ever want to have a current thermonuclear weapon go off. Maybe I enjoy being alive too much.

Analog forever!