Operation Sunbeam
{{Short description|Series of 1960s US nuclear tests}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox nuclear weapons test
|name = Operation Sunbeam
|picture = 300px
|picture_description = Sunbeam Little Feller I. 0.018 kilotons.
|country = United States
|test_site = {{plainlist|
- NTS Area 18, Buckboard Mesa
- NTS Areas 5, 11, Frenchman Flat}}
|period = 1962
|number_of_tests = 4
|test_type = cratering, dry surface, gun deployed, tower
|max_yield = {{convert|1.6|ktTNT|lk=in}}
|previous_series = Operation Nougat
|next_series = Operation Dominic
}}
{{GeoGroup|article=Operation Sunbeam}}
Operation Sunbeam (also known as Operation Dominic II)[https://www.dtra.mil/Portals/125/Documents/NTPR/newDocs/19-DOMINIC%20II%20-%202021.pdf DOMINIC II Fact Sheet] Defense Threat Reduction Agency was a series of four nuclear tests conducted at the United States's Nevada Test Site in 1962. Operation Sunbeam tested tactical nuclear warheads; the most notable was the Davy Crockett.
The chief milestone of Operation Sunbeam was that it was the last nuclear test series on the Nevada Test Site conducted in the atmosphere by the United States. Since Operation Sunbeam, specifically the Little Feller 1 test of the Davy Crockett, all US nuclear tests on the Test Site have been carried out underground in accordance with the Partial Test Ban Treaty.
List of the nuclear tests
{{see also|List of nuclear weapons tests of the United States}}
| dry surface,
weapon effect
| W54
| style="text-align:center;" | {{sort|000000220|22 t}}
| I-131 venting detected, 0
| Used a stockpile Davy Crockett warhead. The Army's part of Sunbeam was Operation Ivy Flats.
|-
! Johnnie Boy{{anchor|Johnnie Boy}}
| {{dts|1962|7|11}} 16:45:00.09
| style="text-align:center;" | PST (–8 hrs)
|| NTS {{coord|37.12216|-116.33395|name=Johnnie Boy|display=inline}}
| {{sort|001571|}}{{convert|1572|m|abbr=on}}–{{convert|0.6|m|abbr=on}}
| cratering,
weapon effect
| W30 TADM
| style="text-align:center;" | {{sort|000005000|500 t}}
| Venting detected off site
| TADM (Tactical Atomic Demolition Munition) test, similar to Plumbbob Stokes.
|-
! Small Boy{{anchor|Small Boy}}
| {{dts|1962|7|14}} 18:30:??
| style="text-align:center;" | PST (–8 hrs)
|| NTS Area 5 {{coord|36.798|-115.932|name=Small Boy|display=inline}}
| {{sort|000943|}}{{convert|940|m|abbr=on}} + {{convert|3|m|abbr=on}}
| tower,
weapon effect
|
| style="text-align:center;" | {{sort|000016500|1.7 kt}}
| I-131 venting detected, {{convert|270|kCi|TBq|abbr=on}}
| Test of missile silo hardening principles, specifically EMP, similar to Nougat Ermine, Chinchilla I/II, Armadillo.
|-
! Little Feller I{{anchor|Little Feller I}}
| {{dts|1962|7|17}} 17:00:??
| style="text-align:center;" | PST (–8 hrs)
|| Launch from NTS Area 18, Buckboard Mesa {{coord|37.08607|-116.32977|name=Launch_Little Feller I|display=inline}}, elv: {{convert|1630|+|2|m|abbr=on}};
Detonation over NTS {{coord|37.10946|-116.31823|name=Little Feller I|display=inline}}
| {{sort|002551|}}{{convert|2550|m|abbr=on}} + {{convert|1|m|abbr=on}}
| gun deployed,
weapon effect
| W54
| style="text-align:center;" | {{sort|000000180|18 t}}
| Venting detected off site, {{convert|3|kCi|TBq|abbr=on}}
| Army Operation Ivy Flats, witnessed by Robert Kennedy. Last atmospheric test at NTS, used a stockpile Davy Crockett warhead.
|}
{{reflist|group=note}}