Reliability and safety aspects of delivering and detonating large explosive charges undersea

The IIT Research Institute recently completed the undersea detonation of a 250-ton explosive charge in the North Pacific for the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA). The cylindrical steel container constructed for the program was loaded with 243 tons of slurry explosive at Port Madison, near Seattle. The container was towed 2600 nm to its test location, 26 mi from Amchitka in the Aleutian Islands. The container was boarded, armed and scuttled at the test site. Data reduction indicated full explosive yield was achieved at the planned depth. Failure of some key contingency equipment (remote scuttle capability and secondary detonators) during the tow to the Aleutians led to a thorough review and reevaluation of the reliability and safety to the system. New techniques were sought to deal with the problem of safety and reliability. The purpose of the analysis was to determine those areas where additional or special effort may be required to insure a safe and successful completion of the mission.