Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!cbnews!military
From: bbx!bbx.basis.com!russ@unmvax.cs.unm.edu (Russ Kepler)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Atomic Cannon
Message-ID: <1990Aug31.030618.23725@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 31 Aug 90 03:06:18 GMT
References: <1990Aug29.014355.7169@cbnews.att.com>
Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker)
Organization: BASIS International, Albuquerque NM
Lines: 30
Approved: military@att.att.com



From: bbx!bbx.basis.com!russ@unmvax.cs.unm.edu (Russ Kepler)

In article <1990Aug29.014355.7169@cbnews.att.com> G_AHRENDT@VAXA.CC.UWA.OZ.AU (Gunter Ahrendt) writes:
>I was wondering if anyone might be able to give me some (any!) information or 
>references to the Atomic Cannon the US Army was testing in the Desert in the 
>late 40's or early 50's?

There were 2 made, one still existing at the National Atomic Museum 
here in Albuquerque New Mexico.  There's an exhibit on the cannon 
including a photo of a shot of a nuclear round in Nevada.  I 
*think* that you are correct in thinking that there was only the 
one atomic round fired.

>From memory the guns were based in Germany until the late 50's when
they were returned to the US.  I suspect that increases in accuracy
of short range missiles removed any need for the Atomic Cannon.  If
I remember rightly they're 155mm guns - I just tried to call and
they're not yet open...

BTW: The Atomic Museum is sort of an interesting place - definitely
one of a kind!  Where else are you going to find a museum detailing
the development of nuclear warheads in the US?  For information try
calling +1 505 845 6670 (at least that what Sandia Labs information
office gave me.)

-- 
Russ Kepler -  Basis Int'l     SNAIL:  5901 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
UUCP: bbx.basis.com!russ                                    PHONE: 505-345-5232