MC-1 bomb

The 750 pound MC-1 sarin bomb

The MC-1 bomb was the first U.S. non-clustered air-dropped chemical munition. The 750-pound (340 kg) MC-1 was first produced in 1959 and carried the nerve agent sarin.

History

The MC-1 chemical bomb was first brought into regular mass-production in 1959.[1] A modified general purpose demolition bomb, the MC-1 was the first non-clustered chemical munition in the U.S. arsenal.[1] The MC-1 was designed to be delivered via U.S. Air Force aircraft.[2] The MC-1 was never used against enemy targets.

Specifications

The MC-1 was a 750-pound (340 kg) munition.[1][2] The weapon had a diameter of 16 inches (41 cm) and a length of 50 inches (127 cm).[2] The MC-1 was filled with about 220 pounds (100 kg) of sarin (GB) nerve agent.[2] The MC-1 was designed to be air-dropped via the F-4 Phantom II and was unable to fit that aircraft's replacement, the F-16.[3]

Demilitarization operations

Umatilla Chemical Depot stored about 2,400 MC-1 bombs until the final one was demilitarized and destroyed on June 9, 2006.[4] Another 3,047 MC-1s were stored at Johnston Atoll when demilitarization operations began there in 1990.[5] Those weapons were destroyed during the ensuing decade and operations at Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Disposal System ended in 2000.[5][6]

Test involving the MC-1

Tests were conducted using the MC-1 from July-November 1971 at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah.[7] The aim of these tests, which were part of Project 112,[8] was twofold. One goal was to determine hazards associated with the accidental release or damage from hostile fire of the MC-1 during takeoff or landing.[7] A second goal was to determine if leak suppressant and disposal procedures for damaged bombs were adequate.[7] For the purpose of the tests the MC-1 was filled with water and a sarin simulant, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP).[7] The bombs were dropped from an F-4 during the tests.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Smart, Jeffery K. Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare: Chapter 2 - History of Chemical and Biological Warfare: An American Perspective, (PDF: p. 59), Borden Institute, Textbooks of Military Medicine, PDF via Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base, accessed December 29, 2008.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Mauroni, Albert J. Chemical Demilitarization: Public Policy Aspects, (Google Books), Greenwood Publishing Group, 2003 pp. 18-19, (ISBN 027597796X).
  3. ↑ Duke, Simon (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute). United States Military Forces and Installations in Europe, (Google Books), Oxford University Press, 1989, pp. 84-85, (ISBN 0198291329).
  4. ↑ Hendrickson, Bruce. "Depot and Disposal Facility reach significant milestones", (Press release), Umatilla Chemical Depot, U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency, June 12, 2006, accessed December 29, 2008.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cashman, John R. Emergency Response Handbook for Chemical and Biological Agents and Weapons, (Google Books), CRC Press, 2008, pp. 107-08, (ISBN 1420052659).
  6. ↑ "Chemical Weapons Destruction Complete on Johnston Atoll", (Press release), U.S. Department of Defense, November 30, 2000, accessed December 29, 2008.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "Fact Sheet — DTC Test 69-14", Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), Deployment Health Support Directorate, accessed November 12, 2008.
  8. ↑ "Project 112/SHAD Fact Sheets", Force Health Protection & Readiness Policy & Programs, The Chemical-Biological Warfare Exposures Site, accessed December 29, 2008.