HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 1210.023 2006-2008
Possible DU in dummy bombs Page 1 of 4
Murashige, Laura
From: Barbara Moore [dfly@dragonflyranch.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 02, 2008 1:28 PM
To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us; Bob Jacobson; angel pilago; emily naeole; Brenda For"onald
Ikeda; Dominic Yagong; Pete Hoffmann; john yoshimoto; Stacy Higa; karen eoff ~
Cc: Lorrin Pang r
Subject: Possible DU in dummy bombs 0 ~ r
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B-2 successfully drops improved bunker buster bomb
Released: Mar 26, 1998
A B-2 Spirit Bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., drops a B61-11 bomb casing. (Courtesy photo)
by Senior Airman Adam Stump
354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFNS) A B-2 Spirit bomber dropped two B61-11 bomb
shells to test their improved ground penetration capability March 17 at the Stuart Creek Impact Area, 35
miles southeast of Fairbanks.
The tests here were designed to measure the nuclear bomb casing's penetration into frozen soil and the
survivability of the weapon's internal components.
These were the final two tests needed to certify the weapon system as operational.
A team excavated the two unexploded dummy bombs and took careful measurements of their angles and
depth of penetration into the soil, which were 6 and 10 feet, according to Ellsworth Rolfs, a 1361-11
program test manager. The shells were sent back to Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico for
full analysis of how the simulated internal components fared in the impact.
The B61-11 is a new modification to a nuclear weapon that has been in the Air Force inventory since the
1960s. The bomb can be used against a variety of enemy targets, including deeply buried underground
command posts and weapons storage facilities. A new case design lets it penetrate the ground to a depth
of 15 to 25 feet, where the weapon would then detonate.
The bomb cases contained simulated nuclear components made
of depleted uranium, a heavy metal that closely approximates
the physical characteristics of enriched uranium, without the
hazards associated with weapons-grade material. Use of
depleted uranium allowed scientists to realistically assess the
effects of impact. cmr& Rx 1z to. 23
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Possible DU in dummy bombs Page 2 of 4
Rolfs stressed that the depleted uranium was encased in the new exterior shell, which proved extremely
durable in the tests. Although solid depleted uranium is a low-level radiation hazard, emitting only alpha
radiation that cannot even penetrate clothing or the skin, it can present a health hazard if physically
ingested into the body.
Ingestion of depleted uranium is normally associated with explosive or flammable situations, where the
substance can potentially be turned into dust or vapor and then inhaled.
Rolfs was quick to point out that the depleted uranium aboard the dummy bombs was in a solid state
(like a chunk of steel or any other metal), which virtually eliminated the chances for ingestion.
"The test unit casing didn't rupture in any of our tests, including drops through concrete from 40,000
feet," he said. "We fully recovered all test units 100 percent intact."
Even though the B61-11 survived being dropped through concrete, the Air Force had trained emergency
response teams standing by to handle any unforeseen problems, said Jim Nolke, chief environmental
planner for the 354th Civil Engineer Squadron. He added that the Air Force had extensively studied the
proposed test, and were confident the test would not impact Alaska's people, wildlife or environment.
The Air Force worked closely with Alaska environmental officials to obtain all required permits and
ensure full compliance with the law.
After the two units were recovered, the Air Force filled in the holes made by the impact, and leveled the
ground back to its pre-test condition in accordance with federal law, said Nolke. (Courtesy of Pacific Air
Forces News Service)
RELATED SITES
* B-2 Spirit
* Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska
* Pacific Air Forces
THIS ARTICLE FOUND HERE:
http.://www fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/bomber/nl9980.326980417 html
Barbara Moore <dfly@dragonflyranch.com> wrote:
This is good reason to demand that we not have B2 bombers dropping
dummy bombs on Big Island. What the army considers to be "protective"
practice is potentially hazardous:
because the bombs are being dropped on PTA where depleted uranium
resides from the Davey Crockett weaponry used there in the `60s, and
because the plane itself could crash accidentally on a populated area
Got any other arguments I should use when I write my letter and
encourage others to do so?
7/2/2008
Possible DU in dummy bombs Page 3 of 4
~2 t alth
om er Crash s
on Guam
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February 22, 2008 11:15 PM EST
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Possible DU in dummy bombs Page 4 of 4
crashe n 88087.html?vi_ew=print>
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HAGATNA, Guam - A B-2 stealth bomber crashed at an air base on
Guam but both pilots ejected safely and were in good condition, the Air
Force said.
Thick black smoke could be seen billowing from the wreckage at
Andersen Air Force Base, said Geanne Ward, a resident in the northern
village of Yigo who was on the base visiting her husband.
Ward said she didn't witness the crash but noticed a rising plume of
smoke behind the base's air control tower.
She said crowds began to gather as emergency vehicles arrived Saturday
morning local time.
"Everybody was on their cell phones, and the first thing everyone wanted
to know was did the pilots make it out in time," she said.
A board of officers will investigate the accident.
Each B-2 bomber costs about $1.2 billion to build. All 21 stealth bombers
are based at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri but the Air Force has
been rotating several of them through Guam since 2004, along with B-1
and B-52 bombers.
The rotations are designed to boost the U.S. security presence in the
Asia-Pacific region while other U.S. forces diverted to fight in the Middle
East.
The accident occurred 11 days after a Navy plane crashed into the ocean
about 20 miles northeast of Guam's Ritidian Point. Four aircrew members
ejected from the EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft and were
rescued by helicopter.
Guam is a U.S. territory 3,700 miles southwest of Hawaii.
7/2/2008