As a field commander, we bet you have lots of questions.
Tell me, do you ever wonder:
(a) Is a specific enemy formation a suitable target for a tactical nuclear weapon?
(b) What size of nuclear weapon will be needed according to the available method of delivery to be reasonably sure of rendering the target ineffective?
(c) What will be the preferred height of burst?
(d) Will friendly troops be safe?
The men of 2 Canadian Army Operational Research Team have created a “circular slide rule” to answer your questions.
With the new Tactical Atomic Target Computer you can quit wondering. And start firing!
The Computer has two faces, allowing double the computing power.
On Face A, the outer ring of the disc allows you to select the target type you are seeking to engage. Simply spin the disk to select one of the following:
Men in the open - high air burst.
Men in open slits - high air burst.
Men in trenches with thermal screen - high air burst.
Men in trenches with 18” of earth overhead cover - low air burst.
Men in woods or built up areas - high air burst.
Men in tanks - low air burst.
Within each category, customize your choice by selecting the “target radius” (in yards).
In the image above, we have selected a 500 yard target radius to engage “Men in Built-Up Areas or Woods - High Air Burst.”
Upon making your selection, adjust your eyes to the “Method of Delivery” output on the right hand side of Face A (lower right hand side in the detailed image, below).
Here the computer will automatically advise you on the “bomb size required.”
With the selections made above, the atomic target computer advises that you should direct a 10 kiloton free rocket or medium air drop on this target*, or alternatively a 5 kiloton low air drop or guided missile. Using artillery? A 1 kiloton bomb is all that is required!
*(Weapon choice is subject to availability. Be sure to discuss with higher command.)
WARNING! Atomic bombs hurt the enemy but can also hurt your own forces.
Be sure to use the handy “Safety Distance” chart on Face A to establish how safe is truly safe for your forces. Always remember that “unwarned and unprotected troops” should be further away from ground zero.
Have you already selected your weapon of choice?
Go ahead and flip to Face B. Select your chosen warhead, ranging from a 1/2 kiloton bomb all the way to something really serious — 100 KTs!
Within each possible weapon selection, you will see a letter or number that corresponds with your preferred target type. Personnel in a range of conditions, or maybe equipment like tanks or artillery: the choice is up to you!
The computer will provide you with “damage radii in yards for 100%, 50%, 25% and 0% casualties.”
We have also provided some straight forward examples for you to consider just how easy it is to use the computer:
All of this computing power and no batteries or power source required!
Note that the Tactical Atomic Targeting Computer is currently only available “For Training Use Only.”
Some figures used to determine the pre-populated outcomes of this computer have been simplified. Although the goal has been to prevent significant loss of accuracy, no guarantees are implied.
***
Images from “Tactical Atomic Target Computer,” Report 3/57 (Cdn), May 1957, prepared by R. W. Rae (2 Canadian Army Operational Research Team), RG24-C-1-c, Volume number: 35925, File number: 2041-8, Library and Archives Canada.
This post is obviously tongue-in-cheek, but the efforts to develop the computer, and its testing in exercises, is pretty fascinating. You can expect a Canada Declassified briefing book on this subject soon.
Who knew nuclear warfare could be so simple and fun?
Wow - thank goodness this was "For Training Use Only." lol