DROP TEST OF PRIMED TNT STICKS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03642A001200060010-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 24, 2011
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: June 15, 1961
• Content Type: MEMO

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/05/25: CIA-RDP78-03642A001200060010-1
CONF DENTIAL /L
P
-Ij
15 June 1961
MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Drop Test of Primed TNT Sticks
1. On 13 June 1961 drop tests of primed TNT sticks were made at
Camp AP Hill, Virginia.
2. Forty 1,-," x 8" dynamite type packaged granular TNT sticks were
primed with J-1 blasting caps and 6" of time fuse.
3. Twenty of the sticks were reinforced completely with Scotch Branch
Miking Tape. The remaining twenty were reinforced with this tape only
at each end. All sticks were primed with J-1 blasting caps centered in
one end. Six inches of fuse was crimped to each cap. The fuse was tied
very securely to the stick with strong cord. Approximately 20 sticks had
a packet of paper stem fusee matches taped to the stick with cellophane
scotch tape.
4. The sticks were placed in a L-20 airplane and dropped in untied
bundles of 10 at a time from an altitude of 600 feet and at a speed of
120 mph. Two sticks hit the tail and antenna stub on the airplane doing
no damage to the airplane but demolishing the sticks. This was observed
from the ground but not from the airplane so the drop continued ten sticks
at a time untilull 40 were dropped. The pilot missed the DZ on all four
passes so some sticks landed on the dirt road, some in small pine trees
and some in partially covered grassy field. In all 38 sticks were recovered
with four broken ones. These were ones which had reinforcing tape at
the ends only. No sticks detonated. All sticks recovered were later detonated
high order.
5. As a result of this test it is concluded that TNT sticks primed
with J-1 blasting caps and fuse can be successfully free-fall dropped on normal
terrain from an altitude of 600 feet with approximately 10% loss due to
breakage. Danger from detonation by dropping is extremely remote.
6. During this same series of drops three sealed cans of RDX Special
Blasting Caps were also free-fall dropped without damage or detonation.
JAL
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/05/25: CIA-RDP78-03642A001200060010-1