Operation Phalanx facts for kids

The United States's Phalanx nuclear test series was a group of 18 nuclear tests carried out by the United States between 1982 and 1983. These tests happened after a series called Operation Praetorian and before another one known as Operation Fusileer.

Nuclear tests are experiments where countries explode nuclear weapons. They do this to check how the weapons work, to develop new and improved designs, or to study the effects of such powerful explosions.

What Was the Phalanx Series?

The Phalanx series included 18 separate nuclear explosions. These tests were all done underground. This means the explosions happened deep below the Earth's surface.

Where Did These Tests Happen?

All the Phalanx tests took place at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). This is a large area in Nevada, USA, that was specifically used for testing nuclear weapons.

How Were the Tests Carried Out?

Most of the tests in the Phalanx series were done in "underground shafts." Imagine digging a very deep, narrow hole straight down into the ground. The nuclear device would be placed at the bottom of this shaft.

Some tests also used "underground cavities in tunnels." This means the device was placed inside a large empty space at the end of a tunnel dug horizontally into a mountain or hill.

Why Underground?

Testing nuclear weapons underground helps to contain the explosion. This reduces the amount of radioactive material that escapes into the air. It also helps to hide the tests from other countries.

Purpose of the Phalanx Tests

The main reasons for these tests were:

• Weapons Development: Scientists and engineers wanted to create new nuclear weapons or improve existing ones. They needed to test their designs to make sure they worked as planned.
• Weapon Effect Studies: These tests helped researchers understand how nuclear explosions affect different materials and structures. This information was important for designing stronger buildings or military equipment.
• Safety Experiments: Some tests were done to make sure that nuclear weapons were safe. This meant checking that they wouldn't accidentally explode or release radiation if they were dropped or damaged.

The Most Powerful Test

The most powerful explosion in the Phalanx series was called Chancellor. It had a yield of 143 kilotons. To give you an idea, one kiloton is equal to the explosive power of 1,000 tons of TNT. So, 143 kilotons is like 143,000 tons of TNT exploding! This particular test was also a "stockpile confidence test," meaning it was to check that older weapons still worked reliably.