Operation Large Area Coverage

OPERATION LARGE AREA COVERAGE (LAC). A U.S. project to estimate the path, spread, and duration of biological weapons (BW) when released in the atmosphere. Operation LAC, carried out in 1957-1958, involved the release of fluorescent zinc cadmium sulfide particles as a simulant for BW. The tests were carried out over the central part of the United States, and results showed that the particles traveled distances in excess of 1,000 miles, effectively covering large segments of the United States. This demonstrated the vulnerability of the United States, or any nation, to an atmospheric release of BW. 

The gaps in the steel are instrumented with RPC s [4] [5] or with plastic tube counters [7], similar to those developed by E. larocci [6], operated in limited streamer mode. Both the.se choice.s provide efficient and inexpensive coverage of tlie large areas involved, and operation in limited streamer mode, possible because no pulse height information is required, simplifies operation and readout. For the reference design, we have u.sed an larocci tube system, as the proximity of SLD simplifies cost estimation. The tubes are made of extruded plastic modules of eight each, with an active area of 0.9 x 0.9 cm per... 

Some response organizations have established relay stations to ensure coverage over their entire area. Direct satellite communications is also frequently used in spill operations, but due to the size of equipment required, is usually limited to base stations. Cell phones are used for non-essential communications, although in large... 

The NOAA Weather Radio network provides voice broadcasts of local and coastal marine forecasts on a continuous cycle. The forecasts are produced by local National Weather Service forecast offices. Coastal stations also broadcast predicted tides and real-time observations from buoys and coastal meteorological sensors operated by NOAA s National Data Buoy Center. Recorded voice broadcasts have been largely supplemented by a computer-synthesized voice. The NOAA Weather Radio network provides near-continuous coverage of the coastal United States, the Great Lakes, and Hawaii, and can extend much farther in certain areas. 

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