Mark 21 nuclear bomb
| Mark 21 | |
|---|---|
USAF claim, although never tested[1] ). |
The Mark 21 nuclear bomb was a
Design
At 12 feet 4.37 inches (3.77 m) long, 58.48 inches (1.49 m) in diameter, a 80.9 inches (2.05 m) span over the fins, and weighing 17,600 pounds (8,000 kg), the Mk 21 was half the length and less than half the weight of the Mk 17/24 weapons it replaced. The Mk 21 Y1 had a yield of 18 to 19 megatons. The "clean" Mk 21 Y2 (later designated Mk 26) was tested at 4.5 megatons. All 275 Mk 21 weapons stockpiled were the Y1 version.[2][3]
Quantity production of the Mk 21 started in December 1955 and ran until July 1956. Starting in June 1957 all Mk 21 bombs were converted to the more advanced Mk 36, which was removed from service in 1962.[4]
Delivery system
The Mark 21 could only be delivered by bomber; it was carried by the
To carry the Mk 21, the B-47 required the installation of special fin recesses in the bomb bay doors.
Tests
The Mk 21 (Mk 21 Y1, the version in the stockpile) was never tested. The Mk 21C (Mk 21 Y2) was proof tested as the Operation Redwing Navajo shot, with a yield of 4.5 megatons.
Specifications
- Length: 12.3 feet (3.7 m)
- Diameter: 4.8 feet (1.5 m)
- Weight: 17,600 pounds (7,983 kg)
- Fuzing: airburst—Contact burst was also available.
- Yield: 18 to 19 megatons
- Thermonuclear weapon
Gallery
Users
See also
References
- ^ https://www.scribd.com/document/59537319/Strategic-Air-Command-History-Development-of-Atomic-Weapons-1956 page 29, 39
- ^ Goetz p. 408
- ^ https://www.scribd.com/document/59537319/Strategic-Air-Command-History-Development-of-Atomic-Weapons-1956 page 29, 39
- ^ Nuclear Weapon Archive: List of All U.S. Nuclear Weapons
- Hansen, Chuck. U.S. Nuclear Weapons," Arlington, Texas, Areofax, Inc., 1988. ISBN 0-517-56740-7.
- O'Keefe, Bernard J. "Nuclear Hostages," Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1983, ISBN 0-395-34072-1.
- Goetz, Peter. "A Technical History of America's Nuclear Arms Volume 1," 2020, ISBN 9781719831963