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See also: List of nuclear weapons tests of the United States
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Operation Nougat
Project Gnome nuclear explosion - salt dome cavity.jpg
Nougat Gnome salt dome cavity.
Information
Country United States
Test site
  • near Carlsbad, New Mexico
  • NTS Area 12, Rainier Mesa
  • NTS Area 15
  • NTS Area 16, Shoshone Mountain
  • NTS Area 18, Buckboard Mesa
  • NTS, Areas 1-4, 6-10, Yucca Flat
Period 1961-1962
Number of tests 44
Test type cratering, underground shaft, tunnel
Max. yield 67 kilotonnes of TNT (280 TJ)
Navigation
Previous test series Operation Hardtack II
Next test series Operation Sunbeam

Operation Nougat was a series of 44 nuclear tests conducted (with one exception) at the Nevada Test Site in 1961 and 1962, immediately after the Soviet Union abrogated a testing moratorium, with the US' Mink test shot taking place the day before the Soviets test-detonated the Tsar Bomba. Most tests were limited-yield underground test shots. New designs would be further developed in atmospheric testing during Operation Dominic I and II.

Operation Dominic I and II would follow Operation Nougat, with some testing overlap. Operation Hardtack II preceded Nougat and the testing moratorium.

Tests

Antler

Antler was the first shot fired as part of the resumption of nuclear testing by the United States. Fired 15 September 1958, containment was immediately lost when the shot vented via the tunnel portal, destroying much of the test data. This was a recurring problem for tunnel tests of the era. The problem was thought to be caused by water above the blast zone draining into the explosion cavity where is was vaporised and escaped as steam.

Shrew

Shrew was the first Los Alamos test after the resumption of testing. The device was buried to a depth of 325 ft (99 m) in a canister 32.5 ft (9.9 m) long. The shaft was 32 in (810 mm) wide, lined with 0.5 in (12+1⁄2 mm) steel, and backfilled with sand to above the canister and concrete to the surface. Post-test, some radioactivity was detected by sampling aircraft.

British tests

Some accounts include the first British nuclear weapons test at the Nevada Test Site, shot Pampas, as part of Nougat. See British nuclear testing in the United States for more details.

Full list of tests

United States' Nougat series tests and detonations
Name Date time (UT) Local time zone Location Elevation + height Delivery
Purpose		 Device Yield Fallout References Notes
Antler September 15, 1961 17:00:00.12 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U12e.03a 37°11′16″N 116°12′31″W / 37.1879°N 116.20863°W / 37.1879; -116.20863 (Antler) 2,254 m (7,395 ft) - 402.03 m (1,319.0 ft) tunnel,
weapons development		 W-45 2.6 kt Venting detected off site, 210 kCi (7,800 TBq)
Shrew September 16, 1961 19:45:00.12 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3ac 37°02′54″N 116°02′01″W / 37.0484°N 116.03367°W / 37.0484; -116.03367 (Shrew) 1,200 m (3,900 ft) - 98.07 m (321.8 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 Scarab device 17 t Venting detected on site, less than 490 Ci (18,000 GBq)
Boomer October 1, 1961 21:30:00.12 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3aa 37°02′54″N 116°02′07″W / 37.04829°N 116.03526°W / 37.04829; -116.03526 (Boomer) 1,200 m (3,900 ft) - 100.64 m (330.2 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 Scarab device less than 0.1 kt Venting detected on site, less than 2.5 kCi (93 TBq)
Chena October 10, 1961 18:00:00.13 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U12b.09 37°11′39″N 116°12′28″W / 37.19423°N 116.20791°W / 37.19423; -116.20791 (Chena) 2,250 m (7,380 ft) - 255.42 m (838.0 ft) tunnel,
weapons development		 Tsetse less than 20 kt Venting detected on site, 760 Ci (28,000 GBq) Similar to Fishbowl Swordfish, yield much lower than predicted.
Mink October 29, 1961 18:30:00.13 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3ae 37°02′55″N 116°01′55″W / 37.04851°N 116.03195°W / 37.04851; -116.03195 (Mink) 1,201 m (3,940 ft) - 192.1 m (630 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 less than 20 kt Venting detected on site, 500 Ci (18,000 GBq) similar to HT-II Quay, HT-I Linden, fizzle.
Fisher December 3, 1961 23:04:59.63 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3ah 37°02′45″N 116°01′43″W / 37.04581°N 116.02853°W / 37.04581; -116.02853 (Fisher) 1,198 m (3,930 ft) - 363.72 m (1,193.3 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 XW-50 primary ? 13.4 kt Venting detected on site, less than 500 Ci (18,000 GBq) Repeat of Mink, yield below predicted due to Zipper failure.
Gnome December 10, 1961 19:00:00.0 MST (-7 hrs)
 near Carlsbad, New Mexico 32°15′47″N 103°51′57″W / 32.26298°N 103.86592°W / 32.26298; -103.86592 (Gnome) 1,013 m (3,323 ft) - 360 m (1,180 ft) underground shaft,
peaceful research		 3.1 kt Venting detected off site Project Gnome, fired in salt dome, cavity formed was 170 ft (52 m) in diameter, and 80 ft (24 m) high, some radioactivity accidentally released and detected off-site. Shaft drilled 341 m (1,119 ft) to SW.
Mad December 13, 1961 18:00:00.16 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9a 37°07′36″N 116°02′59″W / 37.12656°N 116.04962°W / 37.12656; -116.04962 (Mad) 1,254 m (4,114 ft) - 219.15 m (719.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 500 t I-131 venting detected on site, 0 Similar to Hoosic and Stillwater, yield below predicted, attempt to standardize low yield energy source for future experiments.
Ringtail December 17, 1961 16:35:00.13 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3ak 37°02′35″N 116°01′34″W / 37.04317°N 116.02616°W / 37.04317; -116.02616 (Ringtail) 1,196 m (3,924 ft) - 362.99 m (1,190.9 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 XW-54 Gnat ? less than 20 kt Venting detected on site, less than 10 Ci (370 GBq) Possible XW-54 test, similar to Shrew and Boomer, purpose to optimize small light system for high yield tactical weapon.
Feather December 22, 1961 16:30:00.13 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U12b.08 37°11′42″N 116°12′33″W / 37.1949°N 116.20916°W / 37.1949; -116.20916 (Feather) 2,242 m (7,356 ft) - 247.5 m (812 ft) tunnel,
weapons development		 150 t Venting detected off site, 380 Ci (14,000 GBq) "...results quite striking.".
Stoat January 9, 1962 16:30:00.14 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3ap 37°02′41″N 116°02′09″W / 37.04459°N 116.03592°W / 37.04459; -116.03592 (Stoat) 1,198 m (3,930 ft) - 302.33 m (991.9 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 5.1 kt Venting detected on site, 8 Ci (300 GBq) Performed as expected, 1st in series to develop new multi-point detonation system, similar to Agouti, Armadillo, Ermine, Chinchilla I/II.
Agouti January 18, 1962 18:00:00.13 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3ao 37°02′50″N 116°02′07″W / 37.0472°N 116.03523°W / 37.0472; -116.03523 (Agouti) 1,200 m (3,900 ft) - 260.95 m (856.1 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 6.4 kt Develop test for new 10 in (250 mm) implosion system, similar to Stoat.
Dormouse January 30, 1962 18:00:00.13 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3aq 37°02′48″N 116°02′25″W / 37.04679°N 116.04034°W / 37.04679; -116.04034 (Dormouse) 1,200 m (3,900 ft) - 363.14 m (1,191.4 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 10 kt I-131 venting detected, 0 Configuration optimization test, similar to Mink, Fisher, Raccoon, Dormouse Prime, Packrat.
Stillwater February 8, 1962 18:00:00.16 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9c 37°07′38″N 116°03′13″W / 37.1272°N 116.05354°W / 37.1272; -116.05354 (Stillwater) 1,259 m (4,131 ft) - 181.36 m (595.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 3.1 kt I-131 venting detected, 0 Similar to Mad and Hoosic.
Armadillo February 9, 1962 16:30:00.13 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3ar 37°02′37″N 116°02′23″W / 37.04354°N 116.03981°W / 37.04354; -116.03981 (Armadillo) 1,198 m (3,930 ft) - 239.69 m (786.4 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 7.1 kt Venting detected on site, less than 120 Ci (4,400 GBq) Develop test for new 10 in (250 mm) implosion system, similar Stoat.
Hardhat February 15, 1962 18:00:00.1 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U15a 37°13′35″N 116°03′37″W / 37.22626°N 116.06018°W / 37.22626; -116.06018 (Hardhat) 1,532 m (5,026 ft) - 287.43 m (943.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapon effect		 5.7 kt I-131 venting detected, 0 Test of underground structure hardening.
Chinchilla I February 19, 1962 16:30:00.13 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3ag 37°02′57″N 116°01′49″W / 37.04905°N 116.03023°W / 37.04905; -116.03023 (Chinchilla I) 1,201 m (3,940 ft) - 150.08 m (492.4 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 1.9 kt Venting detected on site, 2 Ci (74 GBq) Test of new 10 in (250 mm) implosion system, performed as expected, showed device not 1-point safe.
Codsaw February 19, 1962 17:50:00.16 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9g 37°07′39″N 116°02′17″W / 37.12743°N 116.03806°W / 37.12743; -116.03806 (Codsaw) 1,258 m (4,127 ft) - 212.14 m (696.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 W45 2 kt Venting detected on site, less than 1 kCi (37 TBq) Similar to Hoosic, Hudson, Arikaree.
Cimarron February 23, 1962 18:00:00.16 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9h 37°07′44″N 116°02′57″W / 37.12881°N 116.04918°W / 37.12881; -116.04918 (Cimarron) 1,256 m (4,121 ft) - 304.8 m (1,000 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 11.9 kt Venting detected, 750 Ci (28,000 GBq) Confirmed advanced warhead design, device performed better than expected.
Platypus February 24, 1962 16:30:00.13 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3ad 37°02′54″N 116°01′58″W / 37.0483°N 116.03264°W / 37.0483; -116.03264 (Platypus) 1,200 m (3,900 ft) - 57.84 m (189.8 ft) cratering,
weapons development		 less than 20 kt I-131 venting detected, 0 similar to Shrew, Boomer, Ringtail.
Danny Boy March 5, 1962 18:15:00.12 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U18a 37°06′39″N 116°21′57″W / 37.11091°N 116.3658°W / 37.11091; -116.3658 (Danny Boy) 1,641 m (5,384 ft) - 30 m (98 ft) cratering,
weapon effect		 430 t Venting detected off site, 850 kCi (31,000 TBq) Test of atomic demolition munition (ADM) cratering effects in basalt, crater 265 ft × 84 ft (81 m × 26 m), design yield 470 tonnes.
Ermine March 6, 1962 16:30:00.13 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3ab 37°02′54″N 116°02′04″W / 37.04837°N 116.0344°W / 37.04837; -116.0344 (Ermine) 1,201 m (3,940 ft) - 73.15 m (240.0 ft) underground shaft,
safety experiment		 less than 20 kt I-131 venting detected, 0 Test of new 10 in (250 mm) implosion system, 1-point safety test.
Brazos March 8, 1962 18:00:00.21 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9d 37°07′20″N 116°02′59″W / 37.12212°N 116.04976°W / 37.12212; -116.04976 (Brazos) 1,254 m (4,114 ft) - 256.34 m (841.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 XW-55 primary ? 8.4 kt Venting detected on site, 1.1 kCi (41 TBq) Successful system proof test, developmental test of advanced implosion system, design yield 5-10 kt.
Hognose March 15, 1962 16:30:00.13 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3ai 37°02′38″N 116°01′55″W / 37.04393°N 116.03186°W / 37.04393; -116.03186 (Hognose) 1,198 m (3,930 ft) - 240.33 m (788.5 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 8 kt I-131 venting detected, 0 similar to HT-II Mercury and Oberon.
Hoosic March 28, 1962 18:00:00.16 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9j 37°07′28″N 116°02′05″W / 37.12437°N 116.03483°W / 37.12437; -116.03483 (Hoosic) 1,264 m (4,147 ft) - 186.84 m (613.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 XW-45 ? 3.4 kt Venting detected, 10 kCi (370 TBq) Test to determine minimum boosted yield for device previously tested in Mad and Stillwater, predicted yield 2–3.5 kt, similar to Hudson and Arikaree.
Chinchilla II March 31, 1962 18:00:00.13 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3as 37°02′49″N 116°02′16″W / 37.04687°N 116.03776°W / 37.04687; -116.03776 (Chinchilla II) 1,200 m (3,900 ft) - 136.67 m (448.4 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 2 kt Venting detected on site, less than 10 Ci (370 GBq) Retest of Chinchilla I which was not 1-point safe, similar to Stoat.
Dormouse Prime April 5, 1962 18:00:00.13 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3az 37°02′40″N 116°01′27″W / 37.04446°N 116.02425°W / 37.04446; -116.02425 (Dormouse Prime) 1,197 m (3,927 ft) - 261.03 m (856.4 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 10.6 kt I-131 venting detected, 0 Yield verification test, design yield 10.5 kt, boron lined shot hole, similar to Dormouse, Mink, Fisher, Raccoon, Packrat, HT-I Linden, HT-II Quay.
Passaic April 6, 1962 18:00:00.16 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9l (i?) 37°07′03″N 116°02′42″W / 37.11762°N 116.04487°W / 37.11762; -116.04487 (Passaic) 1,248 m (4,094 ft) - 233.48 m (766.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 9 kt Venting detected, 600 Ci (22,000 GBq) Verification test.
Hudson April 12, 1962 18:00:00.16 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9n (h?) 37°07′38″N 116°02′45″W / 37.12719°N 116.04577°W / 37.12719; -116.04577 (Hudson) 1,253 m (4,111 ft) - 150.88 m (495.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 W45 ? 1 kt Venting detected, 500 Ci (18,000 GBq) similar to Arikaree, Hoosic, Codsaw'.
Platte April 14, 1962 18:00:00.13 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U12k.01 37°13′19″N 116°09′30″W / 37.22198°N 116.15832°W / 37.22198; -116.15832 (Platte) 1,695 m (5,561 ft) - 170.69 m (560.0 ft) tunnel,
weapons development		 1.9 kt Venting detected off site, 1.9 MCi (70 PBq) Yield reproducibility test, failed, retested in Des Moines.
Dead April 21, 1962 18:40:00.16 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9k 37°07′08″N 116°01′57″W / 37.11895°N 116.03237°W / 37.11895; -116.03237 (Dead) 1,272 m (4,173 ft) - 193.24 m (634.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 3 kt Venting detected, 40 kCi (1,500 TBq)
Black April 27, 1962 18:00:00.16 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9p 37°07′06″N 116°02′19″W / 37.11843°N 116.03857°W / 37.11843; -116.03857 (Black) 1,259 m (4,131 ft) - 217.63 m (714.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 XW-55 5 kt Venting detected, 150 Ci (5,600 GBq) Thermonuke mockup.
Paca May 7, 1962 19:33:00.14 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3ax 37°02′48″N 116°01′32″W / 37.04654°N 116.02567°W / 37.04654; -116.02567 (Paca) 1,199 m (3,934 ft) - 258.32 m (847.5 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 8 kt Venting detected on site, less than 10 Ci (370 GBq) Test of "100 lb/100 kt" class device.
Arikaree May 10, 1962 15:00:00.16 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9r 37°07′39″N 116°02′57″W / 37.12754°N 116.04917°W / 37.12754; -116.04917 (Arikaree) 1,254 m (4,114 ft) - 166.73 m (547.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 W45 ? less than 20 kt Venting detected, 2 kCi (74 TBq) similar to Hudson, Hoosic, Codsaw.
Aardvark May 12, 1962 19:00:00.1 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3am(s) 37°03′54″N 116°01′51″W / 37.06512°N 116.03092°W / 37.06512; -116.03092 (Aardvark) 1,214 m (3,983 ft) - 434.04 m (1,424.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 TX-33Y2 AFAP 40 kt Venting detected on site, less than 10 Ci (370 GBq) One of only four gun-type weapons ever tested, along with Little Boy, Grable and Laplace. The TX-33 was a gun shell.
Eel May 19, 1962 15:00:00.16 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9m 37°07′21″N 116°02′53″W / 37.12256°N 116.04809°W / 37.12256; -116.04809 (Eel) 1,253 m (4,111 ft) - 217.63 m (714.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 4.5 kt Venting detected on site, 1.9 MCi (70 PBq) Successful.
White May 25, 1962 15:00:00.15 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9b 37°07′29″N 116°03′10″W / 37.12479°N 116.05287°W / 37.12479; -116.05287 (White) 1,253 m (4,111 ft) - 192.63 m (632.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 XW-58 primary ? 8 kt Venting detected, 1.6 kCi (59 TBq) Similar to Sacramento.
Raccoon June 1, 1962 17:00:00.14 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3ajs 37°02′44″N 116°02′07″W / 37.04556°N 116.03534°W / 37.04556; -116.03534 (Raccoon) 1,199 m (3,934 ft) - 164.25 m (538.9 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 3 kt Successful, similar to Dormouse, Dormouse Prime, Mink, Fisher, Packrat, HT-I Linden, HT-II Quay.
Packrat June 6, 1962 17:00:00.12 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3aw 37°02′44″N 116°02′25″W / 37.04567°N 116.04015°W / 37.04567; -116.04015 (Packrat) 1,199 m (3,934 ft) - 261.98 m (859.5 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 13 kt I-131 venting detected, 0 Successful (see above for similarities), investigated internal initiator to improve safety, increase yield, reduce weight 10 lb (4.5 kg).
Des Moines June 13, 1962 21:00:00.12 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U12j.01 37°13′20″N 116°09′47″W / 37.22217°N 116.16301°W / 37.22217; -116.16301 (Des Moines) 1,696 m (5,564 ft) - 185.93 m (610.0 ft) tunnel,
weapons development		 2.9 kt Venting detected off site, 11 MCi (410 PBq) similar to Platte.
Daman I June 21, 1962 17:00:00.13 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3be 37°02′35″N 116°01′52″W / 37.04303°N 116.03103°W / 37.04303; -116.03103 (Daman I) 1,197 m (3,927 ft) - 260.4 m (854 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 11 kt I-131 venting detected, 0 Successful.
Haymaker June 27, 1962 18:00:00.12 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U3au(s) 37°02′30″N 116°02′10″W / 37.04154°N 116.03612°W / 37.04154; -116.03612 (Haymaker) 1,196 m (3,924 ft) - 408.56 m (1,340.4 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 Moccasin 67 kt Venting detected on site, less than 150 Ci (5,600 GBq) Possible Mocassin device (tested in Project 58 #2, HT-II Hidalgo).
Marshmallow June 28, 1962 17:00:00.11 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U16a 37°00′33″N 116°12′07″W / 37.00906°N 116.20193°W / 37.00906; -116.20193 (Marshmallow) 2,241 m (7,352 ft) - 310.9 m (1,020 ft) tunnel,
weapon effect		 less than 20 kt Venting detected on site, 35 kCi (1,300 TBq) Simulated high altitude effects shot in low pressure chamber, successful, x-ray effects of re-entry vehicles investigated.
Sacramento June 30, 1962 21:30:00.16 PST (-8 hrs)
 NTS Area U9v 37°07′03″N 116°02′54″W / 37.11737°N 116.04829°W / 37.11737; -116.04829 (Sacramento) 1,246 m (4,088 ft) - 149.05 m (489.0 ft) underground shaft,
weapons development		 XW-58 4 kt I-131 venting detected, less than 1 kCi (37 TBq) similar to White device.
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