The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History - M65 Atomic Cannon - Albuquerque, NM
Posted by: 
kameniev
N 35° 03.929 W 106° 32.101
13S E 360033 N 3881382
M65 Atomic Cannon on display at the The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Waymark Code: WMA7W3
Location: New Mexico, United States
Date Posted: 11/29/2010
Views: 8
From Wikipedia website:
Specifications:
Weight 83.3 tons (gun and carriage)
Length 84 ft
Width 16.1 ft
Height 12.2 ft
Crew 5-7 [1]
Caliber 280 mm
Effective range approximately 20 miles
Picatinny Arsenal was tasked to create a nuclear capable artillery piece in 1949. Robert Schwartz, the engineer who created the preliminary designs, essentially scaled up the 240mm shell (then the maximum in the arsenal) and used the German K5 railroad gun as a point of departure for the carriage. The design was approved by the Pentagon, largely through the intervention of chief of the Ballistics Section of the Ordnance Department’s Research and Development Division, Samuel Feltman, and a three-year developmental effort was begun. The project proceeded quickly enough to produce a demonstration model to participate in Dwight Eisenhower's inaugural parade in January of 1953.
The cannon was transported by two specially designed tractors, both capable of independent steering in the manner of some extra-long fire engines. Each of the tractors was rated at 375 hp, and the somewhat awkward combination could achieve speeds of 35 miles an hour and negotiate right turns on 28 ft wide, paved or packed roads. The artillery piece could be unlimbered in 15 minutes and then returned to traveling configuration in 15 minutes more.
On May 25, 1953 at 8:30am local time, the Atomic Cannon was tested at Nevada Test Site (specifically Frenchman Flat) as part of the Upshot-Knothole series of nuclear tests. The test, codenamed Grable, was attended by then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Arthur W. Radford and Secretary of Defense Charles E. Wilson; it resulted in the successful detonation of a 15 kt shell (warhead W9) at a range of 7 miles. This was the first and only nuclear shell to be fired from a cannon.
Subsequent to the successful test, there were at least 20 of the cannons manufactured at Watervliet and Watertown Arsenals, at a cost of $800,000 each. They were deployed overseas to Europe and Korea, often continuously shifted around to avoid being detected and targeted by opposing forces. Due to the size of the apparatus, their limited range, the development of nuclear shells compatible with existing artillery pieces (the W48 for the 155mm and the W33 for the 203mm), and the development of rocket and missile based nuclear artillery, the M65 was effectively obsolete soon after it was deployed. However, it remained a prestige weapon and was not retired until 1963.
What type of artillery is this?: Atomic Cannon
Where is this artillery located?: Other
What military of the world used this device?: United States
Date artillery was in use: 05/25/1953
Cost?: 7.00 (listed in local currency)
Artillery is no longer operational: no
Still may work: no
Are there any geocaches at this location?:
Yes
Date artillery was placed on display: Not listed
Parking location to view this Waymark: Not Listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Two pictures are required for this Waymark. Please take a close up picture of the artillery. Take a second with the artillery in the distance and capture as much of the surroundings as possible. Name the Waymark with first the name of the area and second what the artillery is. An example would be if it were a cannon in front of the Montgomery Armory you would name the Waymark: Montgomery Armory Cannon.