Delivery Systems
 The
National Atomic Museum has a large collection of aircraft and rockets
that were designed to carry and employ nuclear weapons. The
collection is not available for public viewing currently.
When the museum moves to its new facility, The National Museum for
Nuclear Science and History, these as well as other nuclear carriers
will be on display.
 |
B29
The B29 delivered the first atomic bomb. More |
| B52
For more than 44 years, B52 Stratofortresses have been the
primary manned strategic bomber for the United States.
More |
 |
 |
Matador
1954 -- The first surface-to-surface guided missiles arrived
in Europe, assigned to the 1st Pilotless Bomber Squadron,
Hahn Air Base, Germany. More |
| F105
In 1951, a supersonic tactical fighter-bomber replaced the
F84F. The result was the the F105 "Thunderchief,"
later affectionately nicknamed the "Thud." More |
 |
 |
Lance
The LANCE short-range, mobile, guided surface-to-surface
tactical ballistic missile carries a W70 warhead. More |
- A7 Corsair II
This lightweight attack aircraft was developed for the Air
Force, Navy and Marines. The Navy carrier fighter-bomber on display
was originally a single seat A7B model manufactured in 1968. During
its first eight years, the aircraft was on numerous cruises, including
several Vietnam deployments. It had 731 carrier launchings and
landings. In 1976, the aircraft was modified to a two-seat A7C
aircraft. It was used to train pilots in nuclear weapons delivery
tactics and to develop and test weapons for the aircraft. In 1992,
A7s were phased out of active duty.
- Jupiter
The Jupiter was the first mobile strategic intermediate range
ballistic missile to use the ablative (melting or vaporizing)
heat shield on the nosecone section. It was a single-stage, liquid-fueled
missile using an inertial guidance system. Some modified versions
of the Jupiter were used as first-stage boosters for early U.S.
space satellite launches. The Jupiter was deployed in Turkey and
Italy from 1961 - 1963.
- Atomic Cannon
The 280MM Atomic Cannon was the largest nuclear capable mobile
artillery piece manufactured by the United States. On May 25,
1953, a 280mm cannon fired an atomic projectile a distance of
7 miles at the Nevada Test Site. Twenty 280mm cannons were manufactured.
These objects are not delivery systems but are nuclear-related.
- SNAP 10A System
SNAP 10A System for Nuclear Auxiliary Power (or Space Nuclear
Auxiliary Power) is a nuclear powered electrical source On April
3, 1965, an ATLAS Agena D, launched from the Western Test Range,
put a SNAP 10A into a nominal 1300km orbit, where it generated
more than 500 watts of power for over 43 days. It used thermoelectric
elements. The shutdown was by a spacecraft malfunction, not a
problem with the SNAP.
- Nuclear Rocket Components
In 1955, the US initiated a development program to develop
high efficiency Nuclear Rockets for military and space uses. Conventional
liquid rockets require a fuel and an oxidizer pumped from separate
storage tanks and combined to produce hot, high velocity, exhaust
gases. The importance of the nuclear rocket is that it eliminates
the weight of one tank, one fluid, one pump, and the need for
combustion, by using a thermal reactor to heat a gas passing through
it.
|
