Project Magnet was a major geomagnetic survey effort from 1951 through 1994. The project originated in the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office, renamed the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO), supporting world magnetic modeling and charting. The project used aircraft flying magnetic surveys worldwide. Additional magnetic data were collected with geophysical survey ships in conjunction with other projects for combination into final products. Data was used to support navigation of ships and aircraft and to meet Naval requirements as well as scientific research. The project aircraft were operated by several special Navy flight organizations but for most of the project's span by Oceanographic Development Squadron Eight (VXN-8) based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Civilian scientists from the Oceanographic Office were assigned to the missions for data collection. A variety of specially modified aircraft capable of long flights were used. The aircraft were notable for the international orange and white livery and the authorized use of cartoon characters, Roadrunner being one and the last used, on their fuselages. The missions required use of civilian facilities, often in remote areas, where no military ones were available thus drawing attention in places where naval aircraft were not ordinarily seen. The missions, structured to last two months, were flown all over the world.
History
The Hydrographic Office, later the Naval Oceanographic Office, was responsible for publishing charts defining components the world magnetic field. After the non-magnetic vessel Carnegie blew up in 1909 collection of oceanic magnetic field information capability was lost. By 1951 those charts were so inadequate that Project Magnet was required to collect oceanic magnetic data. Project Magnet began in 1951 with a budget addition at the Hydrographic Office for airborne geomagnetic surveys to gather data supporting charting the Earth's magnetic field using a Naval Ordnance Laboratory Type 2 Vector Airborne Magnetometer, capable of measuring intensity and direction of the field, and a P2V Neptune. The aircraft, named Pineapple Special, was assigned to the Airborne Early Warning Training Unit, predecessor of Oceanographic Development Squadron Eight (VXN-8), and underwent experimentation and modifications to eliminate local magnetic fields that would effect data collection. Those included modifying the aircraft electrical systems, replacing parts with nonmagnetic materials and adding compensators. By spring of 1953 the system was proven to be able to collect vector geomagnetic data and began operations that included intensity, dip and variation data for Project Magnet. With proven success the Hydrographic office and the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, which also had magnetic survey responsibility over U.S. territory, arranged for the approval of the member states of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) of the project with provision that magnetic variation charts be published at five year intervals (Epochs) by the Hydrographic Office. The introduction of the proton precession magnetometer enabled supplemental data collection from steel-hulled ships, making the extreme measures used for Carnegie unnecessary. The magnetic information was used for safe surface and air navigation, special Navy requirements and general scientific research. Magnetic Variation Charts were published on a five-year schedule by the Naval Oceanographic Office and later by the Defense Mapping Agency, now the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency. Data also was published in tabular form and in reports detailing specific aspects and areas. The project ended in 1994 with data now available through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
Surveys Project Magnet in strict terms were the airborne surveys conducted by the specially equipped aircraft. Those surveys, responding to specific magnetic data collection requirements, were supplemented by surveys conducted by ships collecting magnetic data in conjunction with other projects. Designated, detailed magnetic surveys of specific areas were conducted by both the aircraft and the ships. Coincidental with stopovers the survey party undertook land gravity observations after provision of land gravity meters for project aircraft between October 1962 and March 1963. Eighty-one stations had been added to the establishment of the First Order World Gravity Network by the end of fiscal year 1963. During the 1967 fiscal year 110 stations in sixteen countries were established. The First Order World Gravity Network was established by use of absolute gravimeters as primary reference stations. For most of the project's existence aircraft were operated by VXN-8 based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland with civilian experts from the Naval Oceanographic Office were assigned to the missions for data collection. The original aircraft, assigned in 1951, was a P2V Neptune but the aircraft's narrow cabin made work difficult so that a larger, aircraft a Douglas C-54 Skymaster, designated NC-54R, replaced it. The final aircraft was a specially built Lockheed P-3 Orion variant designated RP-3D. Three RP-3D aircraft were eventually flown by VXN-8 but each was mission specific. The other two were assigned to the oceanographic projects Project Birdseye and Outpost Seascan.
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