Skin temperature responses to simulated thermonuclear flash.

Skin temperatures and radiant energy were measured on a subject wearing flight clothing, sitting in a tactical aircraft exposed to thermal energy characteristic of thermonuclear weapons. Radiant energy source was 960 lamps at power levels up to 4000 kilowatts. After exposures of increasing severity, subject tolerance was attained in a 3 cal/cm pulse of 3.7 seconds duration. This pulse charred paint on the fuselage and headrest and seared the subject's glove. Bare forehead skin temperature reached 126° F resulting in distinct pain. The data provide a basis for calculating the nearest safe distance of aircrew members to a nuclear explosion.