Nuclear weaponsB61-11 earth-penetrating weapon tested for first time in seven years
One of the main purposes of the U.S. nuclear stockpile is deterrence, and one important way to assure deterrence is to have a successful surveillance test that shows that the systems in the stockpile work. Sandia’s annual surveillance program for each weapon type consists of flight tests, lab tests, and component and material tests. On 20 November 2013, researchers conducted a rocket-driven impact test of the nonnuclear components of the B61-11 earth-penetrating weapon, the first such test in seven years. Flight tests subject the weapon to shock, vibration, temperature, rotation, weather, and more. Sandia pulls random units from the stockpile for tests.
A ground-penetrating bomb, minus its nuclear components, rammed through a target at the remote Coyote Canyon test range last month in Sandia National Laboratories’ first such rocket-driven impact test in seven years. Engineers said the Sandia components on the weapon performed as expected.
“Really nice work,” said Engineering Sciences Director Justine Johannes, who watched the test at the aerial cable facility on a video monitor with about a dozen others who had worked toward the 20 November test for years.
A Sandia Lab release reports that the Sandia team hoisted the test B61-11, an earth-penetrating weapon, high above the target on a device attached to a rocket sled capable of thousands of pounds of thrust. The motors were lit and the rocket pulled the B61 down into the target.
The test weapon was fitted with instruments to evaluate system performance as it slammed into the target. Senior manager Patrick Sena said the preliminary data showed the test met the requirements of the worst-case conditions the B61 is expected to meet with high reliability. The weapon also was cooled to an internal and external temperature far below 0 degrees Fahrenheit for the test. It had to be de-iced twice before the test as falling rain froze on the casing.
“One of the main purposes of the stockpile is deterrence, so one important way to assure deterrence is to have a successful surveillance test that shows our systems work,” Sena said.
Sandia’s annual surveillance program for each weapon type consists of flight tests, lab tests, and component and material tests.
Flight tests, the most realistic, subject the test unit to shock, vibration, temperature, rotation, weather and so on. “Data from flight tests is precious because it is from a single shot device,” Sena said. Sandia had worked toward the test since March 2010, the end of a hiatus on such testing that was prompted by an October 2008 accident at Sandia’s separate 10,000-foot rocket sled track. In the last three years, Sandia rebuilt its ability to run the tests, including reconstructing the firing set system at the aerial cable facility, acquiring new rocket motors and putting a strong emphasis on safety surrounding the test. In addition, it rebuilt a team. Dennis Miller, senior manager for Validation and Qualification, said nearly all the technicians who set up the test had never participated in one before.
