Nuclear Expansion
 The
1970s introduced advanced digital electronics to nuclear weapons
technology. Also with the switch in tactics from high-altitude to
low-level supersonic weapons delivery, parachute design was highly
refined at New Mexico's Sandia Laboratories.
Also, parachute technology, supersonic low-altitude delivery, and
the laydown concept (delayed detonation) were refined during this
era.
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W53
The W53 was a high-yield thermonuclear warhead. More |
| Mark 6 Reentry Vehicles
The Mark 6 was designed to be shot into space. More |
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- B57
The B57 was a lightweight, multi-purpose nuclear depth charge
and bomb.
- Mk 2 Re-entry Body
In 1958 military planners were concerned about Soviet anti-ballistic
missile defense systems. Clustered Atomic Warheads-later known
as Multiple Re-entry Vehicles (MRVs) were designed to overwhelm
such defenses.
- Mk 5 (RV)
This is the Minuteman Mk 5 re-entry vehicle for the W59 thermonuclear
warhead. The recovered RV on display was shot into outer space
in the 1960s to test its heat shield.
- Short Range Attack Missile (SRAM)
The Air Force SRAM is a supersonic air-to-surface missile. It
contains a W69 warhead and can be launched from B-52 and FB-111
bombers. The SRAM and W69 are no longer in the weapons stockpile.
- SUBROC
The SUBROC, a submarine-launched missile, contained the W55 nuclear
warhead. Ejected from a standard torpedo tube of a submerged submarine,
a solid-fuel motor ignited when the SUBROC broke the water surface.
The SUBROC then flew at supersonic speed toward its target.
- Thor
The Dominic I Thor instrument pod contained instruments that collected
nuclear test data. A flotation bag kept it afloat until it could
be recovered from the sea.
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