Q&A · 1:53:40-1:54:13

Were Project B attacks tested at night?

Project B's daylight and good-weather limits served both aircraft operations and the Navy's need to board targets for inspection.

Question

Did Project B include night attack tests?

Short answer

No. The attacks required good daylight weather so inspectors could safely board the targets and contemporary aircraft could operate effectively.

Notes

Project B included no night attacks or operations in stormy weather. Good conditions allowed naval inspectors to board the target ships. The Air Service also needed those conditions to operate its aircraft. Claims about wartime effectiveness therefore have to account for the limited conditions in which the tests took place.