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W84

W84
Missile warheadUnited StatesThermonuclear (staged)
No freely licensed photo of this device yet.
Yield · TNT equivalent0.2–150 kt

Key specs

Design
Thermonuclear (staged)
Type
Missile warhead
Weight
176 kg
Length
860 mm
Diameter
330 mm
In service
1983–1991

Overview

The 0.2–150 kt warhead of the BGM-109G ground-launched cruise missile deployed in Western Europe in the 1980s. It was withdrawn under the 1987 INF Treaty.

Effect radii: estimates

Calculated for 150 kt

Fireball, maximum radius
≈ 450 m
Initial radiation, 500 rem (5 Sv)
≈ 2.2 km
Blast 5 psi: most buildings collapse
≈ 3.8 km
Thermal: third-degree burns
≈ 5.2 km
Blast 1 psi: windows shatter
≈ 12 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. W84, Wikipedia