From the introduction to the test report : MISTY PICTURE was sponsored by the Defense Nuclear Agency ( DNA ) , with Field Command . DNA ( FCDNA ) being tasked with executing the event . The primary objective of the test is to provide an airblast and ground shock environment for DoD-sponsored experiments . These experiments are designed to determine the response of tactical and strategic weapon systems , communications equipment , vehicles and a variety of structures to a simulated nuclear environment . A secondary objective is to provide a thermal environment ( in conjunction with the airblast ) for specific experiments . A third objective is to provide a simulated nuclear precursor environment in support of the Air Force Hardened Mobile Launcher ( HML ) program . A more detailed description later in the report : MISTY PICTURE will be a High Explosive ( HE ) event designed to provide a blast , thermal , and shock environment for the Department of Defense ( DOD ) , U.S. Government Agencies , and foreign governments sponsoring target experiments . For selected experiments , seven Thermal Radiation Sources ( TRS ) are placed at varying distances from Ground Zero ( GZ ) to augment the blast and shock environment by providing thermal radiation . The TRS will operate just prior to detonation of the explosive charge . Execution is currently scheduled for 14 May 1987 . MISTY PICTURE will detonate 4,880 tons of Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil ( ANFO ) placed at ground level . Test objectives are to : In addition to the before mentioned objectives , four Talos/Terrier missiles and 20 Viper rockets will be fired into the dust cloud produced by the MISTY PICTURE detonation during the T +1 minute to T +3 minute time period . The missile payloads are ballistic re-entry vehicles being tested for the effects of dust erosion on their surfaces and trajectories . The rockets are samplers to define the environment that the re-entry vehicles were exposed to . The test was conducted at the Permanent High Explosive Test Site ( PHETS ) on White Sands Missile Range ( WSMR ) , approximately south of the Northern Range boundary . Ground Zero ( GZ ) was approximately south-southeast from the GZ used for the very similar June 1985 Minor Scale event
Minor Scale
Minor Scale
Misty Picture