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B61 Family
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The B61 Family are a series of thermonuclear bombs and thermonuclear warheads based on the B61 nuclear bomb.
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The B61 bomb was developed by Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL; now Los Alamos National Laboratory) starting in 1960. The intent was to develop an aircraft bomb which was high yield (up to over 100 kilotons) and yet was small enough and had low enough drag to carry under the wing of a fighter or fighter-bomber type aircraft. One major feature was Full Fuzing Options (allowing various air and ground burst usage options; free fall airburst, parachute retarded airburst, free fall ground burst, parachute retarded ground burst, and laydown or parachute retarded time delay after impact ground burst).
The B61 project started in 1960 with a study contract analyzing the potential of such a weapon. The official development program was funded in 1961, and the weapon was designated TX-61 (Text/Experimental) in 1963.
The original models of B61 used PBX-9404 HMX based plastic bonded explosive. Newer models use TATB based PBX-9502, which is an Insensitive High Explosive (IHE) and will not detonate due to fire, shock, or impact.
The overall B61 bomb was 13.3 inches diameter by 141 inches long, and weighed 695-715 pounds depending on version.
The nuclear device within the outer B61 core is probably the same overall dimensions as the W80 warhead, which is 11.8 inches in diameter and 31.4 inches long.
Though details are unclear, the W89 nuclear warhead for the AGM-131 SRAM II missile is dimensionally similar or identical to the B61 core and W80 warhead. It is likely that it is a B61 family device.
Though details are unclear, the B90 nuclear bomb design for the US Navy is dimensionally similar or identical to the B61 core and W80 warhead, and it is likely that it is a B61 family device.