W48
Nuclear artillery / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about W48?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
SHOW ALL QUESTIONS
For other uses, see W48 (disambiguation).
The W48 was an American nuclear artillery shell, capable of being fired from any standard 155-millimetre (6.1 in) howitzer. A tactical nuclear weapon, it was manufactured starting in 1963, and all units were retired in 1992. It was known as the XM454 AFAP (artillery fired atomic projectile) in US service.
Quick Facts Type, Place of origin ...
W48 | |
---|---|
Type | Nuclear artillery |
Place of origin | United States |
Service history | |
In service | 1963–1992 |
Used by | United States Army |
Specifications | |
Mass | 120 pounds (54 kg) |
Length | 34 inches (860 mm) |
Diameter | 155 millimetres (6.1 in) |
Effective firing range | 14,000 metres (8.7 mi) |
Blast yield | 0.072 kilotonnes of TNT (0.30 TJ) |
Close
The weapon was 34 inches (86 cm) long and weighed 120 pounds (54 kg), and was produced in two versions; the Mod 0 and Mod 1. The yield was thought to be equivalent to 72 tonnes of TNT (0.30 TJ) making it one of the smallest nuclear weapons ever developed by the US.