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Air Force Technical Applications Center
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The Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC), based out of Patrick AFB, Florida is an Air Force surveillance organization subordinate to the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency. Their mission is to monitor nuclear treaties of all applicable signatory countries. This is accomplished via seismic, hydroacoustic, and satellite detection systems.
Mission
AFTAC's mission is the detection of nuclear detonations (NUDETs) anywhere in the world: below ground, in water, surface blasts, free-air, and in space.
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Encyclopedia
The Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC), based out of Patrick AFB, Florida is an Air Force surveillance organization subordinate to the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency. Their mission is to monitor nuclear treaties of all applicable signatory countries. This is accomplished via seismic, hydroacoustic, and satellite detection systems.
Mission
AFTAC's mission is the detection of nuclear detonations (NUDETs) anywhere in the world: below ground, in water, surface blasts, free-air, and in space. The global network of monitoring is referred to as the United States Atomic Energy Detection System (USAEDS). The purpose of maintaining the vast network is to ensure that countries who are signatories on various nuclear treaties comply with the intent of the nuclear treaties.
- The Limited Test Ban Treaty limits nuclear testing to underground, and furthermore prohibits the venting of nuclear debris or radiation from those tests outside the country's national borders.
- Finally, the Peaceful Nuclear Explosions Treaty limits all civilian purpose nuclear explosions to a yield of 150 kilotons, and an aggregate group yield of 1,500 kilotons.
Upon detection of any disturbance in USAEDS, the applicable AFTAC laboratories analyze the event for identification. Should the event detected be nuclear in nature the event is referred to national command authorities.
History
On September 17, 1947, General Dwight D. Eisenhower directed the Army Air Corps to coordinate detection of nuclear detonations anywhere in the world. The following day, the United States Air Force was separated into a distinct service; the atomic detection mission was incorporated into the new entity.
Activated 1 April, 1948, as a field extension of the USAF Chief of Staff, the 51st Air Force Base Unit was tasked to experiment on various platforms for the detection of nuclear weapons. An infrastructure for detection was constructed quickly, amidst fears of the Russia's nuclear ambitions.
On 28 August, 1948, the 51st Air Force Base Unit was redesignated the 1009th Special Weapons Squadron. The 1009th was assigned to Headquarters Command, USAF, on 1 August 1949. One month later, an air sampler aboard an AFOAT B-29 flying between Alaska and Japan detected debris from the first Russian nuclear test.
AFTAC was activated in 1973, assuming control of the USAEDS mission.
Notable Detections
China
On October 16, 1964, AFTAC detected a Chinese atmospheric test.
India
India's first nuclear test was detected on May 18, 1974 by AFTAC.
Vela Incident
On 22 September 1979, one of the Vela satellites detected a double flash of light, consistent with a nuclear explosion, centered over the Prince Edwards islands. There is still a great deal of contention about whether or not the detection was nuclear in origin.
Pakistan
AFTAC detected Pakistan's first of five nuclear tests on 28 May, 1998, with another nuclear test on 30 May, 1998. This was mere days after several Indian tests.
North Korea
AFTAC confirmed North Korea's 2006 nuclear test.
See also
Patrick Air Force Base
External links
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