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To: AmerRepb

The "Davey Crockett" ( W-54 ) Tactical Nuclear Warhead

The W-54 probably represents a near minimum size for a spherical implosion device (the U.S. has conducted tests of a 25.4 cm implosion system however). The W-54 is certainly light enough by itself to be used in a "suit case bomb" but the closest equivalent to such a device that U.S. has ever deployed was a man-carried version called the Mk-54 SADM (Small Atomic Demolition Munition). This used a version of the W-54, but the whole package was much larger and heavier. It was a cylinder 40 cm by 60 cm, and weighed 68 kg (the actual warhead portion weighed only 27 kg). Although the Mk-54 SADM has itself been called a "suitcase bomb" it is more like a "steamer trunk" bomb, especially considering its weight

20 posted on 4/24/02 1:07 AM Eastern by krogers58
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the U.S.A. fielded the W-54 Davy Crocket variable yield nuclear weapon from 1961-1971. Its warhead weighted 51lb.

Credit: National Archives

(Return to 50 Facts About U.S. Nuclear Weapons)

(Return to "Nuclear Davy Crockett")

http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,Hayden_072204,00.html

http://www.olive-drab.com/od_nuclear_suitcase.php

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/050624.html

 

http://www.nationalterroralert.com/readyguide/suitcasenuke.htm

 

 atomic hand grenades.

 

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The Davy Crockett could also be launched from specially equipped jeeps.

Sources: U.S. Nuclear Weapons Cost Study Project; Thomas B. Cochran, William M. Arkin, Milton M. Hoenig, U.S. Nuclear Forces and Capabilities, Volume I, Nuclear Weapons Databook (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Ballinger Publishing Company, 1984), pp. 60, 311; Robert Standish Norris and Thomas B. Cochran, "United States Nuclear Tests: July 1945 to 31 December 1992," (Washington, D.C.: Natural Resources Defense Council, 1 February 1994), NWD-94-1, p. 35; Chuck Hansen, U.S. Nuclear Weapons: The Secret History (New York: Orion Books, 1988), pp. 197-198; Ted Nicholas and Rita Rossi, U.S. Historical Military Aircraft and Missile Data Book (Fountain Valley, California: Data Search Associates, 1991), pp. 3-95, 3-101; U.S. Department of Energy.

Credit: National Archives