EN

Mk 7 “Thor”

Mk 7 “Thor”
Aircraft bombUnited StatesImplosion fission
No freely licensed photo of this device yet.
Yield · TNT equivalent8–61 kt

Key specs

Design
Implosion fission
Type
Aircraft bomb
Weight
760 kg
Length
4.65 m
Diameter
770 mm
In service
1952–1967

Overview

The first American tactical nuclear bomb small enough for fighter-bombers, carried externally under the wing. Some 1,700–1,800 were built, with yields from 8 to 61 kt depending on the core.

Effect radii: estimates

Calculated for 61 kt

Fireball, maximum radius
≈ 320 m
Initial radiation, 500 rem (5 Sv)
≈ 1.8 km
Blast 5 psi: most buildings collapse
≈ 2.8 km
Thermal: third-degree burns
≈ 3.6 km
Blast 1 psi: windows shatter
≈ 8.7 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. Complete List of All U.S. Nuclear Weapons, Nuclear Weapon Archive (Carey Sublette)
  2. Mark 7 nuclear bomb, Wikipedia