- /Home DOE Film Archive Title:: Trinity 1945 Operation Date:: 1945 Film ID:: 0800001 Runtime:: 11:28 Project Trinity, conducted by the Manhattan Engineer District, was designed to test and assess the effects of a nuclear weapon. The 'Gadget' was detonated on a 30 meter tower on the Alamogordo Bombing Range in south-central New Mexico. The film details the assembly and hoisting of the device into the tower, and the detonation itself. Both military and civilians attended the test, no military exercises were conducted. This film has been digitally filtered to remove noise and improve picture quality. This film is silent. Title:: Project Crossroads Operation Date:: 1946 Film ID:: 0800002 Runtime:: 42:32 Operation Crossroads was an atmospheric nuclear weapon test series con- ducted in the summer of 1946. The series consisted of two detonations, each with a yield of 23Kt. Able - detonated at an altitude of 158 meters. Baker detonated 27 meters underwater. It was the first nuclear test held in the Marshall Islands. The film consists of a non-technical photographic report compiled from the various activities of Joint Task Force One. It was processed, edited and narrated at the Navy Photographic Science Laboratory. Preparations, the target array, both test detonations and the aftermath are shown. This film is black and white. Title:: Operation Sandstone Operation Date:: 1948 Film ID:: 0800003 Runtime:: 20:31 In 1948, the U.S. nuclear stockpile consisted of approximately 50 atomic bombs. Since the ability to produce more nuclear weapons was not fully complete as there were limited amounts of plutonium, researchers wanted to develop more efficient implosion bombs. Greater efficiency means the same yield while using less highly expensive fissionable material, or a greater yield from the same amount. Operation Sandstone was a series of atmospheric nuclear proof tests conducted in the Pacific Proving Grounds in the Marshall Islands area in April and May 1948. The goal of this test series was to prove the workability of changes to implosion warhead design that used less fissile material. The film details preparation, radiological safety, instrumentation, test photography and the aftermath. Test shots X-Ray, Yoke and Zebra are shown. Title:: EG&G In Operation Sandstone Operation Date:: 1948 Film ID:: 0800004 Runtime:: 16:05 Operation Sandstone was the second test series to be held in the Marshall Islands, but it differed from the first series Crossroads in that it was primarily an AEC scientific test series, with the armed forces serving in a supporting role. It's purpose was to proof test improved-design atomic weapons designs, whereas the purpose of Crossroads was to test nuclear weapons effects on ships. The film focuses on the photographic and triggering elements of the operation conducted by the consulting engineering firm Edgerton Germehausen and Grier (EG&G). This film details the test preperation and setup of the specialist equipment developed by EG&G to overcome the technical challenges of photographing atomic weapon tests. EG&G were responsible developing the rapatronic (rapid action electronic) camera. Used to photograph nuclear explosions within milliseconds of detonation, capable of capturing images of only a few millionths of a second in duration. This tool was an essential part of post-shot analysis for tests providing technical insights and more accurate yield estimates. Title: Operation Greenhouse Operation Date:: 1951 Film ID:: 0800009 Runtime: 22:31 Greenhouse was the fourth postwar atmospheric nuclear weapon test series conducted by the United States during 1951. Four nuclear de-vices were detonated on the islands of Enjebi, Eleleron and Runlt on Enewetak Atoll. All four were detonated on towers and resulted in significant downwind fallout. The George test proved a hydrogen bomb was possible and led to a crash development program. Item was the first test of the principal of 'fusion boosting' which was capable of approximately doubling the yield over it's expected unboosted value. This development allowed the use of less of the expensive fissile material for the same yield. The film details preperation work done at Los Alamos, instrumentation, military civilian material effects tests and test animals. Theoretical physicist and so called "the father of the hydrogen bomb" Edward Teller, can be seen participating in the test preparations. Title:: Joint Task Force 3 Presents Operation Greenhouse Operation Date:: 1951 Film ID:: 0800088 Runtime: 1:19:25 Greenhouse was the third series of nuclear weapons tests in the Pacific Proving Grounds, conducted by the AEC in 1951. Comprising of four shots, most of relatively high yield devices at the time. Notable were - George, a 225 kiloton experimental test (triple the yield of any test up to that time) which provided vital data needed for developing a true two-stage thermonuclear weapon. The Item test which verified the boosting principle for fission devices, capable of nearly doubling the yield. A number of target buildings, including bunkers, homes and factories were built on Mujinkarikku Islet to test nuclear weapon effects. 10,500 DOD personnel participated in these studies. The tests created significant downwind fallout leading to heavy contamination. The main operational goals were to reduce the size, weight, and the amount of fissile material used for stockpiled weapons. The film details the four tests. Especially impressive among these being the George test, showing the developement of the mushroom cloud and ice cap which moved down the cloud stem forming a white skirt. The setup and preparation of the test devices is also shown in detail. Alvin Cushman Graves and Edward Teller both make appearances. The film is of relatively high quality, with some degradation of the audio in some portions. Title:: Military Participation on Buster-Jangle Operation Date:: 1951 Film ID:: 0800010 Runtime:: 1:16:34 Operation Buster/Jangle was the second series of tests conducted at what was then the Nevada Proving Ground, now the Nevada Test Site. The series was conducted in 1951, consisting of five tests under Buster and two under the Jangle phase. The objectives of the operation were to evaluate new devices developed by the Laboratory, and to obtain data on the basic phenomena associated with these devices. The film also details the first continental test series Operation Ranger. The five airdropped weapons related tests of Ranger were designed to test trigger devices for weapons to be tested in Operation Greenhouse. Because of the low yields of the Ranger tests, the military conducted many tactical nuclear effects tests for the entire operation. Foxholes, textiles, plastics and wood were placed at various intervals to measure the effects of thermal radiation. The film shows arial cloud sampling, instrumentation, flash blindness experiments and animal testing. Title:: Operation Tumbler-Snapper Military Participation> Operation Date:: 1951 Film ID:: 0800011 Runtime:: 48:02 Operation Tumbler-Snapper consisted of eight nuclear tests in two phases. The Tumbler phase was the airdrop nuclear weapons tests that were of primary concern to the DOD. The Snapper phase was a set of experiments conducted by the AEC and the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory to help improve effects of nuclear weapons. Tests Able and Baker produced weapons effects data. The Charlie test was the first Nevada Proving Ground test to be observed by the news media who viewed the activities from a "News Nob" about 11 kilometers away. Also, approximately 2,000 Army personnel, including paratroopers, conducted maneuvers beneath the mushroom cloud. The Dog test had Marines participating in the nuclear exercise. They approached ground zero until intolerable radiation levels forced them to abort the mission. The Fox test was observed by approximately 1,000 military observers from a distance of 6.4 kilometers. The film details the precursor wave and mach stem phenomena as it relates to height of burst, damage to buildings and military equipment, and troop participation. Title:: Operation Tumbler Photgraphic Study Operation Date:: 1951 Film ID:: 0800077 Runtime:: 23:01 Operation Tumbler-Snapper was comprised of two sub-operations. The Tumbler phase included four tower explosions, while the Snapper phase included four airdrop explosions. This film focuses on the more intensive diagnostic photography used during the Tumbler phase. The film uses models and diagrams to demonstrate the locations of cameras, angles of view, and the use of accessory items such as rockets, smoke pots, and other visual tools. Spectacular comparisons are made of the four Tumbler tests. Slow and high speed photography, close and long-range views; several cameras; and various film time sequences during and after the explosions show the incredible power of photographic analysis. Techniques used by scientists and engineers to record and analyze all aspects of a nuclear explosive test are demonstrated. Title:: Operation Ivy Operation Date:: 1952 Film ID:: 0800012 Runtime:: 1:03:33 Operation Ivy was a two- detonation atmospheric nuclear weapon test series conducted by Joint Task 132 in 1952 at Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands. One of the two tests designated Mike and was the first ever thermonuclear explosion. The other an extremely large fission weapon airdrop designated King. The island where Mike was detonated was completely vaporized. The hole Mike left was big enough to accommodate several pentagon-size buildings and deep enough to hold the Empire State Building. Mikes's yield was an incredible 10.4 megatons, signaling the expansion of the nuclear arsenal from fission to fusion based weapons. The film is hosted by actor Reed Hadley in a documentary style, featuring interviews with various officers and soldiers participating in the operation. The film appears slightly banal, but it is worth noting the film was not for public consumption, but for presentation to a select military audience. The film also features Norris Edwin Bradbury director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, as well as notable physicist Alvin Cushman Graves and Major General P.W. Clarkson. Title:: Operation Castle Commanders Report Operation Date:: 1954 Film ID:: 0800013 Runtime:: 21:01 Operation Castle was a six shot test series conducted at the Pacific Proving Ground in the northwestern Marshall Islands in 1954. These tests were the proof tests of feasability of high yield air deliverable thermonuclear weapons. Castle represented the end of a drive for a deployable thermonuclear weapon, and the beginning of the refinement of large thermonuclear weapons into smaller more efficient ones. The first test Bravo was the largest yield atmospheric test ever exploded by the U.S.A. Miscalculation regarding the lithium fuel caused the yield to be 2.5 times greater than predicted, leading to a serious radiological accident. Numerous technical experiments were carried out in conjunction with each of the six detonations. The film shows weapon assembly and deployment, weappon transport and camera setup. It also details some of the diagnostic instrumentation, and experiments such as the 'light pipes' which carried the first light of the detonation over a man-made causway to a test cab thousands of meters away. The film focuses on extent of the accidental fallout from shot Bravo, and footage of the tests themselves. Title:: Operation Castle Military Effects Operation Date:: 1954 Film ID:: N/A Runtime:: 38:54 Castle was the 9th US test series, conducted by Joint Task Force Seven at Bikini Atoll in March 1954. A joint venture between the AEC and the DoD, the ultimate objective of the operation was to test designs for an aircraft-deliverable thermonuclear weapon. Castle was organized into 7 experiments, all but one of which were to take place at Bikini Atoll. The first shot Bravo was accidentally the largest ever test, the yield was 2.5x greater than expected due to the lithium isotope used producing extra tritium which greatly increased the yield. This created the greatest radiological disaster in US history. The Echo test was canceled due to the liquid fuel design becoming obsolete with the success of dry-fueled Bravo. Title:: Operation Upshot-Knothole Operation Date:: 1953 Film ID:: 0800015 Runtime:: 35:39 Operation Upshot-Knothole was the fourth atmospheric nuclear weapons testing series conducted in the continental U.S at the Nevada test site. The series consisted of 11 nuclear tests. One was a test of atomic artillery fired from a 280mm cannon, three were airdrops, and seven were detonated from towers. Activities engaging DOD personnel included Exercise DesertRock, scientific and diagnostic experiments. Radiological safety criteria and procedures were established and implemented to minimize participants'exposures to radioactivity. Operation Upshot-Knothole, like Operations Buster-Jangle and Tumbler-Snapper, was divided into two parts. Upshot dealt mainly with weapons development, while Knothole was primary concerned with weapons effects and civil defense. The film focuses on the weapon effects experimentation to gain understanding of phenomena such as the precursor shockwave, mach stem and popcorning, specifically how these phenomena related to how the height of burst impacts drag sensitive targets. Title:: The 280mm Gun at the Nevada Proving Ground Operation Date:: 1953 Film ID:: N/A Runtime:: 10:35 This film produced by the U.S.A.F Lookout Mountain Laboratory details the transport, setup and firing of the two 280mm nuclear artillery pieces also known as Atomic Annie. The test shot was known as Grable, fired during Operation Upshot-Knothole in 1953, with a yield of 15 kilotons. The two 280mm cannons were taken by rail from Oklahoma, to the Nevada test site 102km North of Las Vegas. The cannons were then emplaced side-by-side 11 km south of Frenchman flats. Assembly and preparation took an hour, including time for insertion of nuclear components into the shells, and manual setting of the height of burst fuse. Two significant phenomena were observed during the test. Firstly after the initial flash, the fireball split into two separate halves creating a double fireball. The second being the formation of a precursor wave, a second shock front ahead of the incident wave. Formed as the shock wave reflected off the ground and surpassed the incident wave and Mach stem. It resulted in a lower overpressure, but higher overall dynamic pressure, inflicting far greater damage on drag sensitive targets. 700 DOD personnel, including the Secretary of Defence and several congressmen witnessed the shot from 11 km north of ground zero. 2,600 troops were stationed in trenches 4.5 km west of ground zero as participants of exercise Desert Rock V. Title:: Operation Teapot Military Effects Studies Operation Date:: 1955 Film ID:: 0800017 Runtime:: 30:53 Operation Teapot was the fifth series of atmospheric nuclear weapons tests conducted by the Atomic Energy Commission within the continental U.S. The Series consisted of 14 nuclear events and one non-nuclear detonation, conducted at the Nevada Test Site in 1955. 11,000 Department of DOD personnel participated in observer programs, tactical maneuvers and scientific studies. The Series was intended to test nuclear devices for possible inclusion in the weapons arsenal, improve military tactics, equipment, and training and study civil defense requirements. In addition to studying the psychological effects of nuclear weapons on ground soldiers, scientists wanted to learn the effects of the detonations on different types of military equipment and structures. One test, Apple-2, involved a specially constructed 'Doom Town' complete with houses, automobiles, paved streets, and mannequins. This film is significntly degraded, specifically it's colour balance and audio track. Title:: Operation Wigwam Commanders Report Operation Date:: 1955 Film ID:: 0800018 Runtime:: 37:02 Operation Wigwam was a deep underwater nuclear test conducted in May 1955 in the Pacific Ocean approximately 800km southwest of San Diego California, under the joint administration of the AEC and the DOD. The purpose of the operation was to determine the radiation and pressure phenomenon associated with nuclear detonations at great depths, and to ascertain the effects such explosions would have on submerged and surface vessels. Approximately 6,544 personnel and 30 ships took part in this operation under the command of Joint Task Force Seven. A combination of high winds and rough seas prevented recovery of much of the test data. Title:: Operation Redwing Operation Date:: 1956 Film ID:: 0800019 Runtime:: 27:01 The seventeen shot Redwing series was held primarily to test high yield thermonuclear devices too large be tested in Nevada. The AEC progress in miniaturization of warheads had accelerated to where the equivalent of the 90 ton weight of the Mike device in Operation Ivy was now air deliverable by bomber. Over 10,000 military personnel and civilian employees of the AEC and the DOD participated in these nuclear tests. The Lacrosse and Cherokee tests were observed from the USS Mt. McKinley by 15 American press, radio and television reporters. These were the first uncleared U.S. civilians in ten years to observe an American nuclear test in the Pacific. This film is black and white, but has a significant red shift due to degradation of the film stock. Title:: Operation Plumbbob Operation Date:: 1957 Film ID:: 0800021 Runtime:: 23:01 Operation Hardtack I consisted of 35 nuclear tests conducted at the Pacific Proving Ground in 1958. These tests included balloon, surface, barge, underwater, and rocket-borne high-altitude tests. Hardtack I consisted of two portions, the first was the development of nuclear weapons. In these tests, the weapons development laboratories, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory and the University of California Radiation Laboratory, detonated their experimental devices, while the DOD provided support and conducted experiments that did not interfere with AEC activities. The second portion, sponsored by DOD, consisted of the underwater tests Wahoo and Umbrella. Wahoo was detonated in the open ocean and Umbrella in the lagoon at Enewetak. The purpose of these tests was to improve the understanding of the effects of underwater explosions on Navy ships and material. Since the development of a nuclear armed ballistic missile was on a fast track, a portion of Hardtack I was devoted to testing the warhead for the Polaris. This film is black and white, but has a red hue due to degradation of the film similar to that in film 0800019 Operation Redwing. Title:: Operation Hardtack - Military Effects Studies Part 1 Operation Date:: 1958 Film ID:: 0800023 Runtime:: 26:44 Operation Hardtack I consisted of 35 nuclear tests conducted at the Pacific Proving Ground in 1958. These tests included balloon, surface, barge, underwater, and rocket-borne high-altitude tests. The first test Yucca was attached to a helium balloon launched from the USS Boxer near Enewetak Atoll. Hardtack I consisted of three portions; the first was the development of nuclear weapons. In these tests, the weapons development laboratories, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory and the University of California Radiation Laboratory, detonated their experimental devices, while the DOD provided support and conducted experiments that did not interfere with AEC activities. The second portion, sponsored by DoD, consisted of the underwater tests Wahoo and Umbrella. Wahoo was detonated in the open ocean and Umbrella in the lagoon at Enewetak. The purpose of these tests was to improve the understanding of the effects of underwater explosions on Navy ships and material. Since the development of a nuclear armed ballistic missile was on a fast track, a portion of Hardtack I was devoted to testing the warhead for the Polaris. This film is black and white, but has a red hue due to degredation of the film similar to that in film 0800019 Operation Redwing. Title:: Operation Argus Report to Chief Operation Date:: 1958 Film ID:: 0800027 Runtime:: 45:39 Operation Argus was a series of three high-altitude nuclear tests conducted by the Atomic Energy Commission in the South Atlantic Ocean in 1958. The results of Operation Argus proved the validity of the Christofilos theory. This theory proposed that a radiation belt is created in the upper regions of the Earth's atmosphere by high-altitude detonations. The radiation belt affects radio and radar transmissions, damages or destroys the arming and fuzing mechanisms of ICBM warheads, and endangers crews of orbiting space vehicles that might enter the belt. The tests were conducted in complete secrecyand were not announced until the following year. Low yield devices (1 to 2 kilotons) were carried to an altitude of approximately 480 kilometers by modified X-17a three stage rockets before being detonated. 4,500 military personnel and civilian scientists participated in the test operation. Title: Starfish Prime Interim Report By Commander JTF-8 Operation Date:: 1962 Film ID:: 0800062 Runtime: 07:09 Starfish Prime was one of the high-altitude nuclear tests in the Operation Fishbowl test series conducted in the Pacific Proving Ground in 1962. It was launched in the Johnston Island area to an altitude of about 400 kilometers by a Thor rocket and had a yield of 1.4 megatons. The test evaluated the capabilities of an antiballistic missile to operate in a nuclear environment and the vulnerability of a U.S. reentry vehicle to a nearby nuclear blast. It also provided information on the ability of a U.S. radar system to detect and track reentry vehicles. Another goal was to discern the effects of a high-altitude blast on command and control systems, which were shown to be vulnerable in earlier high-altitude tests. The final goal was to obtain information on the feasibility of testing in outer space. This film demonstrates the amazing restoration work done by Atomcentral on the original film negative, especially when compared directly with the original released on VHS by the Department Of Energy. Title:: JTF-8 Presents Operation Dominic Johnston Island Operation Date:: 1962 Film ID:: 0800065 Runtime:: 19:31 The Johnston Island area segment of Operation Dominic I in 1962 was divided into two parts, the Fishbowl high-altitude tests and open sea airdrop tests. Much of the film was devoted to the failures that occurred in the high-altitude program. In one test, a rocket was destroyed because it was believed to be off-course, but post flight data revealed that it was on the correct trajectory. Another rocket blew up on the launch pad due to a stuck fuel valve. This caused the high explosives in the weapon to detonate, resulting in the destruction and contamination of the launch pad and surrounding area. In another instance, a rocket had flight irregularities stemming from the wrong configuration of a flight plan. The nuclear device detonated directly over Johnston Island, instead of 42 kilometers away as planned. To improve obtaining test data, the Thor rockets also carried and deployed three scientific test pods. These reentry pods contained diagnostic equipment deployed shortly after the weapon was detonated. The pods splashed into the sea and were retrieved by helicopters. The film details the ground based and aerial instrumentation, observation and support aircraft, experimentation, and the complexities of an operation that encompassed millions of square kilometers. Title:: Pacific Nuclear Tests Operation Date:: 1962 Film ID:: 0800043 Runtime:: 21:10 The first part of this film shows test Frigate Bird part of the Operation Dominic/Nougat test series. Conducted approximately 845km from Christmas Island. The submerged submarine Ethan Allen carrying 16 Polaris missiles, launched the missile with the warhead detonating on target. The second part shows an antisubmarine rocket (ASROC) underwater nuclear weapons-effects test. It was configured as a nuclear depth charge for the Swordfish test. Launched from the destroyer Agerholmn, it's target a raft circled by diagnostic devices. The explosion created a 1.6km radius radioactive base surge which engulfed target some ships. Once the initial base surge subsided, a second plume was seen created by detonation bubble surfacin. Preparations, placement of diagnostic devices, safety precautions are shown. Title:: Atomic Weapons Tests Trinity through Buster-Jangle Operation Date:: 1945-51 Film ID:: 0800089 Runtime:: 22:51 This film describes the U.S. atomic tests conducted from 1945 through 1951 (Trinity through Operation Buster-Jangle). The film details the progression of weapon developement, their miniturization and the first use of thermonuclear devices. These tests were conducted at the Pacific Proving Ground and the Nevada Test Site/Nevada Proving Ground, later permanently renamed the Nevada Test Site. Title:: Nuclear Effects During SAC Delivery Missions Film ID:: 0800092 Runtime:: 33:42 Training film about the Strategic Air Command, some nuclear history regarding SAC and some interesting shots. Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) made long range bombers carrying nuclear weapons obsolete. Produced by Lookout Mountain Labs for the Air Force. This film is a transfer from a 16mm Internegative to digital, plus some digital clean up and color correction by Atomcentral. Title:: USAF Participation In Operation Dominic Operation Date:: 1962 Film ID:: N/A Runtime:: 30:33 Documentary on the role of United States Air Force during the Operation Dominic nuclear tests in the Pacific in 1962. Produced under the supervision of the USAF in collaboration with Joint Task Force 8. It was released in 1965 and declassified in 2014 by the National Archives and Records Administration. The film begins with the delivery of a MK-41 bomb by a B-52, before detailing the airborne array of instrumentation and testing aircraft during shot Adobe on the 25th of April 1962. It details of the airborne sampling of the clouds, and chorioretinal blindness experiments on test animals. Title:: WADC Aircraft in Operation Redwing - USAF Film Project 25991 Operation Date:: 1956 Film ID:: N/A Runtime:: 17:10 Produced by the Lookout Mountain Laboratory 1352d Motion Picture Squadron, this film details the operation of the Wright Aeronautical Development Center (WADC) aircraft during Operation Redwing in 1956. The film culminates with footage of shot Navajo 10/07/1956.