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AN-22

AN-22
Aircraft bombFranceImplosion fission
No freely licensed photo of this device yet.
Yield · TNT equivalent70 kt

Key specs

Country
France
Design
Implosion fission
Type
Aircraft bomb
Weight
700 kg
In service
1967–1988
Number built
40

Overview

The successor of the AN-11 for the Mirage IV: a similar 60–70 kt fission charge in a casing cut to about 700 kg, with better safety features and a parachute for low-level release. 40 were built; it served until 1988.

Effect radii: estimates

Calculated for 70 kt

Fireball, maximum radius
≈ 330 m
Initial radiation, 500 rem (5 Sv)
≈ 1.9 km
Blast 5 psi: most buildings collapse
≈ 2.9 km
Thermal: third-degree burns
≈ 3.8 km
Blast 1 psi: windows shatter
≈ 9.1 km

Estimated ground ranges for an air burst at the optimum height over flat, open ground, computed from the yield with standard scaling laws. These are not measurements: real effects depend on the height of burst, terrain, buildings and weather.

Formulas from: Glasstone & Dolan, The Effects of Nuclear Weapons (1977), chapter II; Carey Sublette, Nuclear Weapons FAQ, section 5

Sources

  1. AN-22 bomb, Wikipedia