U.S. Nuclear Weapons (original) (raw)
Designations Of U.S. Nuclear Weapons
All U.S. nuclear weapons (missile warheads, free-fall bombs, artillery shells, etc.) are numbered in a single, consecutive series. The numbers are assigned by the organization controlling the design and manufacture of nuclear weapons. From 1946 to 1974, this was the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). In 1974, the AEC was abolished and its tasks being taken over by the newly formed Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA). In 1977, the Department of Energy (DOE) was founded and took over, among many other things, the responsibility for nuclear weapons.
When designating nuclear weapons, a variety of prefixes and suffixes are used with the numbers. However, I don't have any official, first-hand source describing or regulating their use. The following prefixes were used at least once:
The first four designs used roman numerals, but this was soon changed to arabic numerals with the MK-IV/MK-4. A dash is usually written between the prefix and the number. In newer references, however, the dash is frequently omitted. Especially the reference to bombs as B_n_ instead of B-n is quite common, presumably to avoid confusion with US Air Force bomber designations. The warhead (i.e. the nuclear package) of a free-fall bomb always retained its W designation, using the same number as the bomb itself. E.g. the nuclear components of the MK-28 bomb were known as W-28 (in the strictest sense, the MK nomenclature applied only to the non-nuclear bomb components).
Suffixes are used to designate variants of a weapon. The basic suffix is a "Mod" designator. This is used in the same way as in the US Navy's MARK/MOD Nomenclature System, i.e. the first version is designated "Mod 0", followed by "Mod 1", etc. The Mod suffix is often abbreviated to a dash and a number, e.g. B61-11 or W80-1. Different yield options for a weapon can be indicated by a Y_n_ (n = 1, 2, ...) designator immediately behind the number. Of course, Y and Mod suffixes can be combined, as in W-39Y1 Mod 2. Modifications of bomb and warhead prototypes were often indicated by a -X_n_ (n = 1, 2, ...) suffix, as in TX-7-X1. If an -X_n_ design was put into production, the -X_n_ usually became a Mod number (e.g. TX-7-X1 became MK-7 Mod 1).
The list includes every nuclear weapon which was ever assigned a number in the AEC/DOE series. Warheads are always listed as W-n, but bombs are generally shown with the most "common" prefix. All warheads had XW or TX designations when the number was first assigned. Similarly, most bombs started as TX designs before being designated as MK, B or EC.
For each weapon, the developing laboratory (LANL = Los Alamos National Laboratory, LLNL = Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), the approximate yield(s) and the delivery platforms (carrier aircraft for bombs, missiles for warheads) are listed. Brackets indicate cancelled bombs, warheads and platform/warhead combinations.
Number
Laboratory
Yield
Platforms
Remarks
MK-I
LANL
15 kT
B-29 Superfortress
"Little Boy" (dropped on Hiroshima) was a MK-I type bomb
[MK-II]
LANL
Design similar to "Fat Man"; not developed
MK-III
LANL
18 kT - 49 kT
B-29 Superfortress
B-50A/D Superfortress
"Fat Man" (dropped on Nagasaki) was a MK-III type bomb
MK-IV/MK-4
[W-4]
LANL
1 kT - 31 kT
MK-4 Bomb:
B-29 Superfortress
B-36 Peacemaker
B-50A/D Superfortress
AJ, A-2 Savage
W-4 Warhead:
[B-62, SM-62 Snark]
[B-64, SM-64 Navaho]
Derived from MK-III Mod 1; W-4 missile warhead cancelled in favour of W-13
MK-5
W-5
LANL
11 kT - 47 kT
MK-5 Bomb:
B-29 Superfortress
B-36 Peacemaker
B-45A Tornado
B-47A/B/E Stratojet
B-50A/D Superfortress
B-66 Destroyer
AJ, A-2 Savage
A3D-1/2, A-3A/B Skywarrior
W-5 Warhead:
B-61, TM-61A/C, MGM-1C Matador
SSM-N-8a, RGM-6B Regulus
[B-63, GAM-63 Rascal]
[SSM-N-2 Triton]
[SSM-N-6 Rigel]
[SSM-A-16 Hermes A-3B]
XW-5 for GAM-63 was cancelled in favour of W-27
MK-6
LANL
8 kT - 160 kT
B-29 Superfortress
B-36 Peacemaker
B-47A/B/E Stratojet
B-50A/D Superfortress
B-66 Destroyer
AJ, A-2 Savage
A3D-1, A-3A Skywarrior
Improved MK-4; some retired MK-6 bombs were converted into "Project A" ADM (ADM-A)
MK-7
W-7
LANL
MK-7: 8 kT - 61 kT
W-7: 90 T, 2 - 40 kT
MK-7 Bomb:
B-45A Tornado
B-57B Intruder
F-84E/F/G Thunderjet/Thunderstreak
F-100D/F Super Sabre
F-101A/C Voodoo
AD-4B Skyraider
AJ, A-2 Savage
A3D-1, A-3A Skywarrior
A4D-2/5, A-4B/C/E/J/M Skyhawk
FJ-4B, AF-1E Fury
F2H-2B Banshee
F3H-2N, F-3C Demon
F9F-8B, AF-9J Cougar
W-7 Warhead:
30.5" Rocket MK 1 MOD 0 BOAR
SSM-A-17, M2, MGM-5A/B Corporal
M31/M50, MGR-1A/B/C Honest John
"Project B" ADM (ADM-B)
MK 90 Betty ASW Bomb
[GAM-67 Crossbow]
[SSM-A-13 Hermes A-2]
[SAM-A-25, M6, MIM-14 Nike Hercules]
MK-7 was nicknamed "Thor";
XW-7 for GAM-67 and MIM-14 was cancelled in favour of W-31
MK-8
[W-8]
LANL
25 kT - 30 kT
MK-8 Bomb:
B-45A Tornado
AD-4B Skyraider
AJ, A-2 Savage
A3D-1, A-3A Skywarrior
A4D-2/5, A-4B/C/E/J/M Skyhawk
F2H-2B Banshee
F3H-2N, F-3C Demon
W-8 Warhead:
[SSM-N-8, RGM-6 Regulus]
MK-8 was nicknamed "Elsie" (for "LC": Light Case); replaced by MK-11
W-9
LANL
15 kT
M354 (T124) 280 mm Artillery Shell
T-4 ADM
[TX-10]
[W-10]
LANL
12 kT - 15 kT
W-10 Warhead:
[KGW-1 Loon]
TX-10 was to be an airburst derivative of the MK-8
TX-11 (MK-91)
LANL
30 kT (?)
AD-4B/7, A-1J Skyraider
AJ, A-2 Savage
A3D-1, A-3A Skywarrior
A4D-2/5, A-4B/C/E/J/M Skyhawk
F2H-2B Banshee
F3H-2N, F-3C Demon
Improved MK-8; MK-11 production version was known as MK-91 Mod 0 bomb
MK-12
[W-12]
LANL
12 kT, 14 kT
MK-12 Bomb:
F-86F/H Sabre
AD-6/7, A-1H/J Skyraider
AJ, A-2 Savage
A3D-1, A-3A Skywarrior
A4D-2/5, A-4B/C/E/J/M Skyhawk
FJ-4B, AF-1E Fury
F2H-2B Banshee
F3H-2N, F-3C Demon
F9F-8B, AF-9J Cougar
W-12 Warhead:
[SAM-N-6, IM-70, RIM-8 Talos]
[30.5" Rocket MK 1 MOD 0 BOAR]
MK-12 was nicknamed "Brok";
W-12 was cancelled in favour of W-7 (BOAR) and W-30 (Talos)
[TX-13]
[W-13]
LANL
32 kT
W-13 Warhead:
[B-62, SM-62 Snark]
[B-64, SM-64 Navaho]
[SSM-A-14, M8, PGM-11 Redstone]
W-13 was cancelled in favour of W-15 and later W-39
EC-14
LANL
5 MT - 7 MT
B-36 Peacemaker
MK-15
[W-15]
LANL
1.7 MT, 3.4 MT
MK-15 Bomb:
B-36 Peacemaker
B-47B/E Stratojet
B-52 Stratofortress
A3D-1, A-3A Skywarrior
W-15 Warhead:
[B-62, SM-62 Snark]
[B-64, SM-64 Navaho]
[SSM-A-14, M8, PGM-11 Redstone]
W-15 was cancelled in favour of W-39
[TX-16]
LANL
6 MT - 8 MT
MK-17
LANL
15 MT - 20 MT
B-36 Peacemaker
MK-18
LANL
500 kT
B-36 Peacemaker
B-47A/B/E Stratojet
A3D-1, A-3A Skywarrior
S-19
LANL
15 kT
M366 (T315) 280 mm Artillery Shell
[TX-20]
LANL
Proposed high-yield derivative of MK-13
MK-21
[W-21]
LANL
4 MT - 5 MT
MK-21 Bomb:
B-36 Peacemaker
B-47B/E Stratojet
B-52 Stratofortress
W-21 Warhead:
[B-64, SM-64 Navaho]
Later converted to MK-36
[TX-22]
LLNL
Design cancelled after preliminary test failure
S-23
LANL
15 kT - 20 kT
16" Shipborne Gun Shell
A 280 mm shell warhead incorporated into a bigger shellcase for the 16" guns
MK-24
LANL
15 MT - 20 MT
B-36 Peacemaker
Very similar to MK-17
W-25
LANL
1.7 kT
MB-1, AIR-2A Genie
[M51, MGR-3 Little John]
["Project C" ADM (ADM-C)]
[TX-26]
LANL
Cancelled derivative of MK-21
MK-27
W-27
LLNL
2 MT
MK-27 Bomb:
AJ, A-2 Savage
A3D-1/2, A-3A/B Skywarrior
A3J-1, A-5A Vigilante
W-27 Warhead:
SSM-N-8a, RGM-6B Regulus
[B-61, TM-61, MGM-1 Matador]
[B-63, GAM-63 Rascal]
[SSM-N-2 Triton]
[SSM-N-9, RGM-15 Regulus II]
MK-28
W-28
LANL
MK-28: 70 kT (Y1), 350 kT (Y2), 1.1 MT (Y3), 1.45 MT (Y5)
W-28: 11 kT - 1.1 MT
MK-28 Bomb:
B-47B/E Stratojet
B-52 Stratofortress
B-66 Destroyer
F-100D/F Super Sabre
F-101A/C Voodoo
F-104C/G Starfighter
F-105 Thunderchief
F/FB-111 Aardvark
F-4C/D/E Phantom II
A3D-1/2, A-3A/B Skywarrior
A4D-2/5, A-4B/C/E/J/M Skyhawk
A3J-1, A-5A Vigilante
A2F, A-6 Intruder
A-7 Corsair II
FJ-4B, AF-1E Fury
W-28 Warhead:
TM-76A/B, MGM/CGM-13A/B Mace
GAM-77/A, AGM-28A/B Hound Dog
Used W-34 "Python" as fission primary
[W-29]
LANL
[B-64, SM-64 Navaho]
[SSM-A-14, M8, PGM-11 Redstone]
Modified W-15; cancelled in favour of W-39
W-30
LANL
0.5 kT, 2 kT
SAM-N-6bW/bW1/c1, RIM-8B/D/E Talos
XM113 TADM
[F-99, IM-99, CIM-10 Bomarc]
[AIM-68 Big Q]
Used as "Boa" fission primary in W-52;W-30/Bomarc cancelled in favour of W-40
W-31
LANL
2 kT, 20 kT, 40 kT (MGR-1)
1 kT - 2 kT, 30 kT - 40 kT (MIM-14)
1 kT - 40 kT (ADM)
M31/M50, MGR-1A/B/C Honest John (Y3)
SAM-A-25, M6, MIM-14A/B/C Nike Hercules (Y1, Y2)
ADM
[GAM-67 Crossbow]
[S-32]
LANL
[T332 240 mm Artillery Shell]
Cancelled in favour of W-48
W-33
LANL
5 kT - 40 kT
M422 (T317) 8" Artillery Shell
W-34
LANL
11 kT
MK 101 Lulu NDB (Nuclear Depth Bomb)
MK 105 Hotpoint Bomb
MK 45 ASTOR Torpedo
Nicknamed "Python"; also used as gas-boosted fission primary in W-28, W-40 and W-49
[W-35]
LANL
1.75 MT
[SM-65D/E/F, CGM/HGM-16D/E/F Atlas]
[SM-68, HGM-25A Titan]
[SM-75, PGM-17 Thor]
[SM-78, PGM-19 Jupiter]
Cancelled in favour of W-38 (Atlas E/F, Titan) and W-49 (Atlas D, Thor, Jupiter)
MK-36
LANL
10 MT
B-36 Peacemaker
B-47B/E Stratojet
B-52 Stratofortress
[W-37]
LANL
[SAM-A-25, M6, MIM-14 Nike Hercules]
XW-37 was redesignated XW-31Y2
W-38
LLNL
4.5 MT
SM-65E/F, CGM-16E/F Atlas
SM-68, HGM-25A Titan
Used "Robin" (see W-48) as fission primary
MK-39
W-39
LLNL
3 MT - 4 MT
MK-39 Bomb:
B-36 Peacemaker
B-47B/E Stratojet
B-52 Stratofortress
B-58 Hustler (BA-39 in bomb pod)
A3D-1, A-3A Skywarrior
W-39 Warhead:
B-62, SM-62A Snark
SSM-A-14, M8, PGM-11A Redstone
[B-64, SM-64 Navaho]
W-40
LANL
7 kT - 10 kT (CIM-10)
1.7 kT, 10 kT (MGM-18)
F-99, IM-99A/B, CIM-10A/B Bomarc
SSM-A-12, M4, MGM-18A Lacrosse
[ASM-N-8 Corvus]
Used W-34 "Python" as fission primary
MK-41
[W-41]
LLNL
25 MT
MK-41 Bomb:
B-47B/E Stratojet
B-52 Stratofortress
[W-42]
LLNL
[GAR-9, AIM-47 Falcon]
[AAM-N-9 Sparrow X]
[AAM-N-10 Eagle]
[SAM-A-18, M3, MIM-23 Hawk]
Cancelled in favour of W-54
MK-43
LANL
70 kT, 500 kT, 1 MT
B-47B/E Stratojet
B-52 Stratofortress
B-57B Intruder
B-58 Hustler
F-100D/F Super Sabre
F-101A/C Voodoo
F-104C/G Starfighter
F-105 Thunderchief
F/FB-111 Aardvark
F-4C/D/E Phantom II
A3D-1/2, A-3A/B Skywarrior
A4D-2/5, A-4B/C/E/J/M Skyhawk
A3J-1, A-5A Vigilante
A2F, A-6 Intruder
A-7 Corsair II
FJ-4B, AF-1E Fury
Used W-44 "Tsetse" as fission primary
W-44
LANL
300 T, 10 kT
Nicknamed "Tsetse"; also used as fission primary in MK-43, W-50, MK-57 and W-59
W-45
LLNL
500 T - 15 kT
GAM-83B, AGM-12D Bullpup (Y3, Y4)
SAM-N-7, RIM-2D Terrier (Y1, Y4)
M51, MGR-3A Little John (Y1, Y2, Y4)
MADM (Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4)
Used "Robin" (see W-48) as fission primary
[TX-46]
[W-46]
LANL
10 MT
W-46 Warhead:
[SSM-A-14, M8, PGM-11 Redstone]
Cancelled in favour of MK-53/W-53
W-47
LLNL
600 kT (Y1), 1.2 MT (Y2)
Used "Robin" (see W-48) as fission primary
W-48
LLNL
70 T - 100 T
M454 (T358) 155 mm Artillery Shell
Unboosted derivative of "Robin" fission primary of W-38, W-45 and W-47
W-49
LANL
1.45 MT
SM-65D, PGM-16D Atlas
SM-75, PGM-17A Thor
SM-78, PGM-19A Jupiter
Used W-34 "Python" as fission primary
W-50
LANL
60 kT (Y1), 200 kT (Y2), 400 kT (Y3)
M14, MGM-31A/B Pershing
XLIM-49A Nike Zeus B
[HSM-80A, LGM-30A Minuteman]
[ASM-N-x Hopi]
Used W-44 "Tsetse" as fission primary
[W-51]
LLNL
22 T
[GAR-11, AIM-26 Falcon]
[M388 Projectile for M28/M29 _Davy Crockett_]
XW-51 was transferred to LANL and redesignated XW-54
W-52
LANL
200 kT
SSM-A-27, M15, MGM-29A Sergeant
Used "Boa" (see W-30) as fission primary
MK-53
W-53
LANL
9 MT - 10 MT
MK-53 Bomb:
B-47B/E Stratojet
B-52 Stratofortress
B-58 Hustler (BA-53Y1 in BLU-2/B pod)
W-53 Warhead:
SM-68B, LGM-25C Titan II
W-54
LANL
250 T (GAR-11)
10 T, 20 T (M388)
10 T - 1 kT (SADM)
GAR-11, AIM-26A Falcon
M388 Projectile for M28/M29 Davy Crockett
M129/M159 SADM
SADM (Special Atomic Demolition Munition) was also known as B-54
W-55
LLNL
250 kT
Used "Kinglet" fission primary; some sources erroneously quote a low kiloton yield (1 - 5 kT)
W-56
LLNL
1.2 MT
HSM-80B/F, LGM-30B/F Minuteman I/II (Mk.11 RV)
Nicknamed "Fife"; design based on W-47
MK-57
LANL
5 kT - 20 kT
B-52 Stratofortress
F-100D/F Super Sabre
F-104C/G Starfighter
F-105 Thunderchief
F/FB-111 Aardvark
F-4C/D/E Phantom II
A3D-2, A-3B Skywarrior
A4D-2/5, A-4B/C/E/J/M Skyhawk
A3J-1, A-5A Vigilante
A2F, A-6 Intruder
A-7 Corsair II
F/A-18 Hornet
P2V-5F/7, P-2E/H Neptune
P-3 Orion
S2F-1/2/3/3S, S-2A/C/D/E Tracker
S-3 Viking
SH-3D/H Sea King
Used W-44 "Tsetse" as fission primary
W-58
LLNL
200 kT
Used "Kinglet" fission primary (see W-55)
W-59
LANL
800 kT, 1.2 MT
HSM-80A, LGM-30A Minuteman I (Mk.5 RV)
[GAM-87, AGM-48 Skybolt]
Used W-44 "Tsetse" as fission primary
[W-60]
LLNL
(low)
B-61
LANL
10 kT - 300 kT (Mod 0/1/7)
10 kT - 150 kT (Mod 2/5)
300 T, 1.5 kT, 60 kT, 170 kT (Mod 3)
300 T, 1.5 kT, 10 kT, 45 kT (Mod 4)
300 T, 5 kT, 10 kT, 80 kT (Mod 10)
1.7 kT - 300 kT (Mod 11)
300 T, 1.5 kT, 10 kT, 50 kT (Mod 12)
B-52 Stratofortress
B-1B Lancer
B-2A Spirit
F-100D/F Super Sabre
F-104C/G Starfighter
F-105 Thunderchief
F/FB-111 Aardvark
F-117A Nighthawk
F-4C/D/E Phantom II
F-15E Eagle
F-16 Fighting Falcon
A4D-2/5, A-4B/C/E/J/M Skyhawk
A2F, A-6 Intruder
A-7 Corsair II
F/A-18 Hornet
Also known as MK/B-61
W-62
LLNL
170 kT
LGM-30G Minuteman III (Mk.12 RV)
[UGM-73 Poseidon C3]
W-62/Poseidon was cancelled in favour of W-68
[W-63]
LLNL
Enhanced Radiation ("Neutron Bomb") warhead; cancelled in favour of W-70
[W-64]
LANL
Enhanced Radiation ("Neutron Bomb") warhead; cancelled in favour of W-63
[W-65]
LLNL
Enhanced Radiation ("Neutron Bomb") warhead; cancelled in favour of W-66
W-66
LANL
1 kT
Enhanced Radiation ("Neutron Bomb") warhead
[W-67]
LANL
150 kT
[LGM-30G Minuteman III]
[UGM-73 Poseidon]
Cancelled in favour of W-62 (Minuteman) and W-68 (Poseidon)
W-68
LLNL
40 kT - 50 kT
W-69
LANL
170 kT - 200 kT
W-70
LLNL
1 kT - 100 kT (Mod 0/1/2)
1 kT (Mod 3)
Mod 3 is the Enhanced Radiation ("Neutron Bomb") version
W-71
LLNL
5 MT
W-72
LANL
625 T
Modified from retired W-54 warheads
[W-73]
LANL
Derived from MK/B-61
[W-74]
LANL
> 100 T
[XM517 155 mm Artillery Shell]
Cancelled in favour of W-82
[W-75]
LLNL
> 100 T
[XM673 8" Artillery Shell]
Similar to W-74; cancelled in favour of W-79
W-76
LANL
90 kT - 100 kT
[B-77]
LLNL
1 MT
Cancelled in favour of B-83
W-78
LANL
335 kT - 350 kT
LGM-30G Minuteman III (Mk.12A RV)
Derived from W-50
W-79
LLNL
100 T - 1.1 kT (Mod 0)
100 T - 0.8 kT (Mod 1)
XM753 8" Artillery Shell
Mod 1 has Enhanced Radiation ("Neutron Bomb") option
W-80
LANL
5 kT - 200 kT (W-80-0)
5 kT - 150 kT (W-80-1)
BGM/RGM/UGM-109A Tomahawk (W-80-0)
AGM-86B ALCM (W-80-1)
AGM-129A ACM (W-80-1)
Derived from MK/B-61
[W-81]
LANL
3 kT - 4 kT
Variant of MK/B-61
W-82
LLNL
< 2 kT
XM785 155 mm Artillery Shell
Similar to W-79
B-83
LLNL
1.2 MT
B-52 Stratofortress
B-1B Lancer
B-2A Spirit
FB-111A Aardvark
W-84
LLNL
200 T - 150 kT
Derived from MK/B-61 Mod 3/4
W-85
LANL
5 kT - 50 kT
Derived from MK/B-61 Mod 3/4; was recycled after retirement into B-61 Mod 10
[W-86]
LANL
Earth-penetrating warhead
W-87
LLNL
300 kT (W-87-0)
475 kT (W-87-1)
LGM-118A Peacekeeper (W-87-0)
[MGM-134 Midgetman (W-87-1)]
W-88
LANL
475 kT
UGM-133A Trident II (Mk.5 RV)
[W-89]
LLNL
200 kT
[RUM/UUM-125A Sea Lance ASWSOW]
[AGM-131A SRAM II]
[B-90]
LANL
200 kT
NDSB (Nuclear Depth/Strike Bomb)
[W-91]
LANL
10 kT, 100 kT
[W-92]
LANL
low kT(?)
W-93
LANL
TBD
UGM-133A Trident II (Mk.7 RV)
Planned new strategic warhead
[1] Chuck Hansen: "Swords of Armageddon", 1995
[2] James N. Gibson: "Nuclear Weapons of the United States", Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 1996
[3] Stephen I. Schwartz (ed.): "Atomic Audit: The Costs and Consequences of U.S. Nuclear Weapons Since 1940", Brookings Institution Press, 1998