Detonation at UTTR heard along Wasatch Front

  • Published
  • 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
The Air Force detonated a third stage Trident I ballistic missile motor today at the Utah Test and Training Range at 12:28 p.m., and was most likely the cause of noise heard across Davis and Weber Counties this afternoon.

The detonation is part of an operation to eliminate aged propellant and to destroy motors as part of international treaties to reduce the number of ballistic missiles. These detonations typically occur at the UTTR two or three times a week during May through October.

Before detonations, the Air Force takes atmospheric readings to check wind speed, direction and other factors that are entered into a sound model to determine if conditions are within an acceptable range. If the model predicts that noise is going to be louder than permitted levels at locations along the Wasatch Front, a detonation will be delayed. Today’s detonation was within the allowable permit range.

“With the variability of upper atmospheric weather conditions this time of year, the model does not always accurately predict sound levels along the Wasatch Front,” said Michelle Cottle, chief of the 75th Civil Engineer Group’s Environmental Branch. “We had something similar happen in 2014.”

From 2012 through today, more than 300 motors have been destroyed at the UTTR.

More information about UTTR detonation operations.