How did Robert McNamara's 100 megaton bomb stay hidden from the public eye?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Posy McPostface
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Atomic bomb Bomb
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the design and testing of a 100 megaton bomb during the Kennedy administration, as referenced in the documentary "Fog Of War." Robert McNamara indicated that the bomb was ultimately downsized to a 58 megaton explosion due to concerns about fallout and its potential impact. The discussion also highlights the detection of shock waves from such explosions, with anecdotal evidence from a Miami Weather Bureau employee noting the effects of the Tsar Bomba's detonation in 1961. Participants explore the implications of hiding such a powerful bomb and the technological limitations of the time.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Cold War history and nuclear weapons development
  • Familiarity with the Tsar Bomba and its significance
  • Knowledge of seismic and atmospheric detection methods
  • Awareness of the documentary "Fog Of War" and its context
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the design and implications of the Tsar Bomba, including its historical context
  • Explore the scientific principles behind seismic wave detection and atmospheric monitoring
  • Investigate the Cold War's impact on nuclear weapon policies and public perception
  • Watch "Fog Of War" for insights into Robert McNamara's perspectives on war and decision-making
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for historians, military strategists, and anyone interested in nuclear weapons policy and Cold War dynamics.

Posy McPostface
In Fog Of War, a superb documentary about the life lessons learned by Robert McNamara is mentioned the design development and detonation of a 100 megaton bomb. I have no reason to doubt what McNamara said was untrue or a lie, what's the point of that anyway?

Anyone have any ideas how such a powerful bomb could be held in secret or covertly detonated? I don't mean to imply a conspiracy; but, how could you hide the fallout, seismic and sonic signatures from such a gigantic blast? Otherwise, we'd refer to this bomb as the largest explosion and not the USSR's 50 megaton 'Tsar bomba'.

Transcript from the documentary:
http://www.errolmorris.com/film/fow_transcript.html

Quote:
During the Kennedy administration, they designed a 100 megaton bomb. It was tested in the atmosphere. I remember this. Cold War? Hell, it was a hot war!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Science news on Phys.org
New From my understanding, the design was for a 100 megaton bomb, but they halved it because they were chickens (not really, I guess). I think it ended up as a 58 megaton explosion.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ok, did some more research. By 'they' McNamara was referring to the Soviets, which downsized the Tsar bomb from 100 Mt to 50 Mt.

Sorry, clarified this on my own.
 
DiracPool said:
From my understanding, the design was for a 100 megaton bomb, but they halved it because they were chickens (not really, I guess). I think it ended up as a 58 megaton explosion.

Yes, nobody in their right mind would detonate a 100 Mt bomb at least with the technology available at the time. Thanks to the scientists that pointed the issue with the fallout from such a bomb and convinced the Soviet leaders to downsize Tsar to around 50 Mt.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
DiracPool said:
From my understanding, the design was for a 100 megaton bomb, but they halved it because they were chickenshits (not really, I guess). I think it ended up as a 58 megaton explosion.
May I ask where your picture is from? I have a philia for Greek or Roman statures.
 
Ahh, so it is Coeus. A great Titan indeed. What was Prometheus relation to Coeus?
 
Posy McPostface said:
Ok, did some more research. By 'they' McNamara was referring to the Soviets, which downsized the Tsar bomb from 100 Mt to 50 Mt.

Boring anecdote

That bomb was an Earth shaker.
Dad worked at the Miami Weather Bureau office then. When he came home from work that day he took sister and me out to see the barometric pressure recorder. Back then they were analog strip charts, paper and ink. Sure enough there were two blips on it that he said were the shock waves reaching Miami , one from each side of the great circle route connecting Miami and northern Russia.

Sure there are sensitive instruments these days that detect such explosions, but to upset a meteorological aneroid barometer halfway around the world - that was really something for 1961..
 
  • Like
Likes dlgoff and berkeman
jim hardy said:
Boring anecdote

That bomb was an Earth shaker.
Dad worked at the Miami Weather Bureau office then. When he came home from work that day he took sister and me out to see the barometric pressure recorder. Back then they were analog strip charts, paper and ink. Sure enough there were two blips on it that he said were the shock waves reaching Miami , one from each side of the great circle route connecting Miami and northern Russia.

Sure there are sensitive instruments these days that detect such explosions, but to upset a meteorological aneroid barometer halfway around the world - that was really something for 1961..

Not a boring day at work was had, all thanks to the Russians and their 50 megaton bomb.
 
jim hardy said:
Boring anecdote

That bomb was an Earth shaker.
Dad worked at the Miami Weather Bureau office then. When he came home from work that day he took sister and me out to see the barometric pressure recorder. Back then they were analog strip charts, paper and ink. Sure enough there were two blips on it that he said were the shock waves reaching Miami , one from each side of the great circle route connecting Miami and northern Russia.

Sure there are sensitive instruments these days that detect such explosions, but to upset a meteorological aneroid barometer halfway around the world - that was really something for 1961..
Why would a shock wave take the Great Circle Route?

We did have listening devices waiting for the sound of Russian atomic tests in the air by 1949. They were hoisted by balloon trains. One of them crashed near Roswell, New Mexico.
 
  • #10
Noisy Rhysling said:
Why would a shock wave take the Great Circle Route?

What other route could it take? That's the shortest distance between two points on a sphere.
 
  • Like
Likes Bystander
  • #11
jim hardy said:
What other route could it take? That's the shortest distance between two points on a sphere.
Sorry, that got linked to the Nagumo Kido Butai by means too esoteric to get into.