(Not sure if this belongs in this category)
As I understand it, the little boy bomb was detonated by triggering the firing of a U-235 bullet at the sphere/generator, at a specific altitude (of 1800 feet). Would there have been an additional sort of trigger or mechanism (like a speed indicator) or something about the barometric-pressure sensor being activated when the bomb was released?
Basically, what prevented the gun from firing at 1800 feet on the way up and initiating the fission reaction while the bomb was still aboard if the firing mechanism was related to altitude?
Thanks for any info.
As I understand it, the little boy bomb was detonated by triggering the firing of a U-235 bullet at the sphere/generator, at a specific altitude (of 1800 feet). Would there have been an additional sort of trigger or mechanism (like a speed indicator) or something about the barometric-pressure sensor being activated when the bomb was released?
Basically, what prevented the gun from firing at 1800 feet on the way up and initiating the fission reaction while the bomb was still aboard if the firing mechanism was related to altitude?
Thanks for any info.
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Like Steve said, it was manually armed.
There were safety plugs that broke the electrical circuit that operating the firing system. Dick Jeppson and Deak Parsons had to replace the safety plugs with arming plugs to complete the circuit to initiate the sequence. There was a back-up timer as a delay safety measure, and the radar altimeters to execute the firing at the designated altitude.
They actually ended up not even completely assembling it until they were airborne. The cordite packs that were used in the firing mechanism, that the plugs kept separate from the fuze, were installed midair.
There were safety plugs that broke the electrical circuit that operating the firing system. Dick Jeppson and Deak Parsons had to replace the safety plugs with arming plugs to complete the circuit to initiate the sequence. There was a back-up timer as a delay safety measure, and the radar altimeters to execute the firing at the designated altitude.
They actually ended up not even completely assembling it until they were airborne. The cordite packs that were used in the firing mechanism, that the plugs kept separate from the fuze, were installed midair.
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1. The bomb was manually armed after exceeding 1800 ft.
2. The mechanism was designed to arm only when the rate of descent was +.
3. Etc, etc......
2. The mechanism was designed to arm only when the rate of descent was +.
3. Etc, etc......