W76
W76
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| W76 | |
|---|---|
 The W76 warhead and Mk-4 reentry vehicle (cutaway diagram) - Los Alamos National Labs image | |
| Type | Nuclear bomb |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1978 to present |
| Used by | United States and possibly the United Kingdom (see Trident (UK Program) |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
| Designed | 1973 to 1978 |
| Manufacturer | Pantex Plant |
| Produced | 1978 to 1987 (full production) |
No. built | ~3400 |
| Variants | 2 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 362.5 pounds (164.4 kg) |
Detonation mechanism | Contact, airburst |
| Blast yield | 100 kilotons |
The W76 is a United States thermonuclear warhead. It was manufactured from 1978-1987, and is still in service as of 2017[update].
The W-76 is carried inside a Mk-4 re-entry vehicle. U.S. Trident I and Trident II SLBM/Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles may carry W76 warheads as one warhead option, along with W88 warheads in the Trident II.
The dimensions of the W76 and Mk-4 reentry vehicle which carries it are not known; only the warhead's weight of 362 pounds (164 kg) has been disclosed.
The W76 has a yield of 100 kilotons.
The upgraded W76-1/Mk4A will be used in both American and British submarines.[1]
Extensions to the service lives for 800 of the warheads was approved by the US government in 2000, then later increased to 2,000. The project is scheduled for completion in 2018.[2]
The warhead is currently the most numerous weapon in the US nuclear arsenal,[3] having replaced the Poseidon SLBM warhead, the W68, in that capacity.
See also[edit]
Bulava - missile in the Russian arsenal with warheads of comparable yield- List of nuclear weapons
References[edit]
^ Kristensen, Hans. "British Submarines to Receive Upgraded US Nuclear Warhead." FAS, 1 April 2011.
^ Pincus, Walter, "Strategic Plan Extends Life Span Of Nuclear Arsenal", Washington Post, 19 May 2011, p. 17.
^ http://www.nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Weapons/W76.html
[1][2]
External links[edit]
W76 information at Nuclear Weapon Archive
W76 information at Global Security
 | This United States military article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This article related to nuclear weaponry is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
^ https://www.ucsusa.org/press/2018/imminent-house-vote-new-low-yield-nuclear-weapon-house-should-approve-blumenauer#.Wwb2ooopCM8
^ New low yield nuclear weapon House should approve
Categories:
- Nuclear warheads of the United States
- United States military stubs
- Nuclear weapon stubs
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