B46 (nuclear weapon)
The B46 or Mk-46 was a thermonuclear bomb from the USA . It was tested in the late 1950s, but not made ready for series production. Some pre-series types were successfully tested as TX-46 ( t est and e x perimental).
The structure of the thermonuclear bomb corresponds to the Teller-Ulam design . The primary fission explosive had an effect of 81 kt TNT. The B46 was tested as part of Operation Hardtack (1958). The total explosive force of the bomb was tested for the first time in the Hardtack Butternut test and stated as 81 kt TNT. Further modifications led to an increase in the explosive effect, so that the full target 8.9 Mt TNT was achieved in the Hardtack Yellowwood test, 330 kt TNT and finally in the Hardtack Oak test .
history
The design of the B46 is a consistent further development of the older and larger MK-21 that was ignited during the Castle Bravo test . The design principle of the B46 is the basis of the TX-53 (B53) , which was put into service in 1959.
Technical specifications
- Mass: 3700 kg (8120 lb)
- Diameter 86 cm (34 in)
- Explosive force: 8.9 Mt TNT
credentials
- ↑ http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Weapons/B53.html Development and history of the forerunner of the B46
- ↑ http://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Weapons/Allbombs.html List of all nuclear weapons in the USA