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W88
| W88 | |
|---|---|
 Diagram of the W88 warhead: In 1999, information was released showing that in the W88, the primary (top) is egg-shaped, while the secondary (bottom) is spherical. | |
| Type | Nuclear weapon |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1989–present |
| Used by | United States Navy |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
| Designed | 1970s to 1980s |
| Manufacturer | Rocky Flats |
| Produced | 1988–1989 (full production) |
| No. built | ~400 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 175-360 kg[1][2] |
| Length | Approximately 60 inches (150 cm)[3] |
| Diameter | 18 inches (46 cm)[3] |
Detonation mechanism | Contact, airburst |
| Blast yield | 475 kilotons of TNT (1,990 TJ) |
The W88 is an American thermonuclear warhead, with an estimated yield of 475 kilotons of TNT (1,990 TJ),[2] and is small enough to fit on MIRVed missiles. The W88 was designed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the 1970s. In 1999, the director of Los Alamos who had presided over its design described it as "the most advanced U.S. nuclear warhead".[4] As of 2021, the latest version is called the W88 ALT 370,[5] the first unit of which came into production on 1 July, 2021, after 11 years of development.[6] The Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) can be armed with up to eight W88 warheads (Mark 5 re-entry vehicle) or twelve 100 kt W76 warheads (Mark 4 re-entry vehicle), but it is limited to eight warheads under the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
W88/W76 weightwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b "The W88 Warhead".
- ^ a b Hansen, Chuck (2007). Swords of Armageddon – Volume VI. Chukelea Publications. p. 475. ISBN 978-0-9791915-6-5.
- ^ Harold M. Agnew (17 May 1999), "Letter: Looking for Spies in Nuclear Kitchen" Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, The Wall Street Journal, p. A27.
- ^ "W88 warhead program performs successful tests". Sandia Labs News Releases (Press release). Sandia Corporation. October 28, 2014. Archived from the original on November 20, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
- ^ "First Improved W88 Nuclear Warhead for Navy's Trident Missiles Rolls Off the Assembly Line". thedrive.com. 13 July 2021. Archived from the original on 14 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
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