FRENCH DROP ‘DUD’ BOMB
(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) PAPEETE (Tahiti), July 22. A “dud” bomb was a complete success yesterday when France dropped an A-bomb that did not explode in its nuclear testing range south-east of Tahiti.
It was officially pronounced a success—an experiment to test the multiple security systems of French-built atomic bombs. It was believed that one of France’s Mirage IV bombers dropped the bomb which did not explode on the island of Mururoa. 800 miles from Tahiti. A Government communique said the experiment was designed to “test the safety of nuclear weapons while stock--piled and being transported” and added: “No nuclear reaction developed, thus proving the effectiveness of the safety -system set up to ensure the security of nuclear weapons delivered to the French armies.”
On July 2, the French exploded a bomb from a tower. Last Tuesday another was exploded after being dropped
from a Mirage IV bomber. The test series is scheduled to end in September, when President de Gaulle will watch an explosion on Mururoa. The French are reserving their biggest blast for him.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31119, 23 July 1966, Page 15
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179FRENCH DROP ‘DUD’ BOMB Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31119, 23 July 1966, Page 15
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