MC-1 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.

The 750 pound MC-1 sarin bomb

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]

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See also

References
  1. Smart, Jeffery K. Medical Aspects of Chemical and Biological Warfare Archived 2012-08-26 at the Wayback Machine: 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. 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 Archived 2008-11-20 at the Wayback Machine", (Press release), Umatilla Chemical Depot, U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency, June 12, 2006, accessed December 29, 2008.
  5. 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. "Fact Sheet — DTC Test 69-14 Archived 2009-08-05 at the Wayback Machine", Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), Deployment Health Support Directorate, accessed November 12, 2008.
  8. "Project 112/SHAD Fact Sheets Archived 2008-12-20 at the Wayback Machine", Force Health Protection & Readiness Policy & Programs, The Chemical-Biological Warfare Exposures Site, accessed December 29, 2008.
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