B53 nuclear bomb
The Mk/B53 was a high-yield bunker buster thermonuclear weapon developed by the United States during the Cold War. Deployed on Strategic Air Command bombers, the B53, with a yield of 9 megatons, was the most powerful weapon in the U.S. nuclear arsenal after the last B41 nuclear bombs were retired in 1976.
| B53 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Thermonuclear weapon |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1962–1997 |
| Production history | |
| Designer | LANL |
| Designed | 1958–1961 |
| Manufacturer | Atomic Energy Commission |
| Produced | 1961–1965 |
| No. built | About 340 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 8,850 lb (4,010 kg) |
| Length | 12 ft 4 in (3.76 m) |
| Diameter | 50 in (4.2 ft; 1.3 m) |
| Filling | Fission: 100% oralloy Fusion: Lithium-6 deuteride |
| Blast yield | Y1: 9 megatons Y2: Unknown |
The B53 was the basis of the W-53 warhead carried by the Titan II missile, which was decommissioned in 1987. Although not in active service for many years before 2010, fifty B53s were retained during that time as part of the "hedge" portion of the Enduring Stockpile until its complete dismantling in 2011. The last B53 was disassembled on 25 October 2011, a year ahead of schedule.
With its retirement, the largest bomb currently in service in the U.S. nuclear arsenal is the B83, with a maximum yield of 1.2 megatons. The B53 was replaced in the bunker-busting role by the B61 Mod 11.