Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Classified Release
TITLE: Weather Modification Using Carbon Black [1]
PROPOSED BY: Phillips Laboratory (AFMC), Geophysics Directorate
Technical Description:
In the paper "Weather Modification by Carbon Dust Absorption of Solar Energy" Gray el al (Journal of Applied Meteorology, Vol 15, April 1976, 355-386) showed that observational and modeling information indicated that the solar heating of carbon dust could be deployed on the theatre scaled (~100-300km) to achive precipitation enhancement, to create cirrus clouds, and to dissipate fog and low clouds. Previous work by this laboratory:
- demonstrated the ability to dissipate fog and low stratus over airfields and
- employed precipitation enhancement techniquest to muddy the Ho Chi Minh trail reducing the flow of supplies from North Vietnam.
Risks and Limitations:
- Creation of optimum submicron particles: Low
- Achieve and maintaining desired horizontal distribution of carbon black: Medium
- Opportunities to capitalize on investment militarily: Medium/High
- Political implications/health hazards: Medium/Low
Project Plan - Major Milestones
- Numerical model studies completed 1996
- Engineering design of test engine mod. 1997
- Ground-based field trials comleted. 1999
- Airborne test and evaluation of prototypes completed 2001
- Engineering design for airborne carbon black delivery system completed 2003
- Operational capability 2004
Rough estimate of the total cost to operational capability: $23.5 million. Life cycle costs have not been estimated.
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