[HipShot]

There's no need to complicate this thing. You're assigning more credit to Ivan than is due; these suitcases are not multistage fusion devices.

There is no tritium required for a simple fission device.

This is a simple gun type device that only requires maintenance of two aspects:

1. The plastic explosive that drives the sub critical u235 "bullet" would need periodic replacement

2. The battery for the detonator would bleed out over time

This isn't a high tech weapon. Anyone with access to U235 could produce it. It's inefficient and inelegant, but it's also highly effective.

"Little Boy" was a gun type that yielded 13+ kt over Hiroshima. We'd NEVER see a yield that high from a device this small, but that's not really their point. They are tactical devices.

There is a minimum weight for the sub critical masses, but that is within the realm of "suitcase" sized devices, as long as the bullet is driven fast enough.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

There is no tritium required for a simple fission device.

Paul Williams isn't talking about a "simple fission device." He's talking about suitcase nukes. Those are a wee bit more complicated than "a simple gun-type device."

[Bob J]

Thanks Hipshot.