On April 15, 1948, at 6:17 a.m., the U.S. detonated the X-Ray nuclear device near Enewetak Atoll. Unmanned B-17 aircraft flew through the radioactive cloud, and a remote-controlled tank collected crater soil but got stuck.
DateMay 15, 1948LocationEnewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands🇲🇭TypeMilitary EncounterCountry🇲🇭 Marshall Islands Background
Event Details
The X-Ray shot, part of Operation Sandstone, occurred on April 15, 1948, at 6:17 a.m. local time near Enewetak Atoll, Marshall Islands. This atmospheric nuclear test involved detonation of a new device design, following site preparation that included island clearing and infrastructure builds like causeways and airfields.
Procedures and Equipment
Pilotless B-17 drone aircraft navigated the post-explosion cloud to gather data on radiation and effects. A drone light tank entered the crater to retrieve soil samples but became immobilized in the terrain, requiring towing after ten days. These unmanned operations minimized human exposure risks during the hazardous phase.
Context and Significance
Enewetak was selected in 1947 for its size, weather, and fallout dispersion via trade winds. Local residents had been relocated prior. As the first of three Sandstone tests, X-Ray advanced U.S. nuclear capabilities post-Trinity and Crossroads, with emphasis on personnel safety monitoring.