|
 Chemical
tests
Aerial testing of nerve agent GA
- Deadly nerve agent GA was sprayed at Dugway Proving Ground in six different
instances, from Dec. 19, 1952, to Feb. 2, 1953. In the first four experiments, GA was
spread by an F-80 fighter jet flying 480 mph at a height of 100 feet. In the last two
tests, F-47M and F-47N fighters were used at speeds of 310 mph and at the same 100-foot
heights.
Aerial testing of nerve agent GB
 - In 10 tests conducted between July 16, 1952, to Feb. 12, 1953, Dugway Proving Ground
sprayed nerve agent GB from an F-80 flying 480 mph at heights ranging from 75 to 200 feet.
- GB was sprayed at Dugway in seven tests between April 17, 1953, to May 13, 1953,
using an F3D-2 aircraft flying at 360 knots at heights ranging from 20 to 40 feet.
 - In four more tests conducted at Dugway between Feb. 10-24, 1954, an F-80 sprayed GB
while flying at 470 mph at heights between 65 and 130 feet.
- On six dates from April 1, 1962, to May 31, 1962, more than 4,100 pounds of GB was
sprayed at Dugway at heights ranging from 115 to 190 feet (the type of aircraft and speeds
were undocumented).
Firing arms at fortifications with caged animals inside
Dugway Proving Ground conducted demonstrations weekly by firing 12 arms filled with
nerve agent GB at fortifications with caged animals inside, as soldiers watched their
deaths via TV.
The tests were conducted for 12 weeks from September 1959 to December 1959. During the
next nine years - from 1960 to 1968 - the tests were performed 40 of the 52 weeks
annually. The operation concluded the following year, with the tests being conducted
weekly from January 1969 to June 1969.
Nonaerial tests with VX, GA and GB
GA, GB and VX were used in 1,178 documented tests from 1951 to 1969. Tests ranged from
exploding shells filled with nerve agent to assessing troop operations in contaminated
areas.
|
Return to The RATS Home Page