Operation Fitzwilliam

Operation Fitzwilliam
Part of the Air Force program to develop a Nuclear Long-Range Detection system
Type(LDR) Long-Range Detection
Planned31 December 1947 – 6 June 1948 (1947-12-31 – 1948-06-06)
Planned by
  • Air Force Special Weapons Group
Objective
  • Develop and refine methods for long range nuclear detection by:
  • Airborne radioactive debris collection
  • Seismic monitoring
  • atmospheric acoustic wave detection
Executed byAir Force Materiel Special Weapons-1 (AFMSW-1)
Outcome
  • Tactical success
  • Airborne detection system worked effectively
  • Radiochemical analysis proved conclusive in identifying fission products

Operation Fitzwilliam was a highly classified US Air Force operation with the objective of developing methods for Long Range Detection (LRD) of nuclear detonations. Conducted in conjunction with Operation Sandstone, the 1948 atomic tests at Eniwetok Atoll, it integrated airborne radioactive debris collection, seismic monitoring, and atmospheric acoustic wave detection to ensure that the U.S. could detect, track, and analyze nuclear detonations worldwide.

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