W78 warhead. As with previous drawings I've done, I include...
W78 warhead. As with previous drawings I've done, I include a spherical inertially-confined secondary and an ellipsoidal flyer plate Foster device as invented by the former Livermore director. Starting in 2007, 250 of the W87 W78于1974年由 洛斯阿拉莫斯国家实验室 (LANL) 设计研发。据推测，该弹头从未在全当量下进行过测试。在1976年 《禁止核试验门槛条约》 生效前不久，该武器释放了"令人失望"的爆炸当量，导致他们不得不重新设计这一直到条约生效前都尚未完成的武器。而这诱发了LANL和 劳伦斯利弗莫尔国家实验室 导读 美军现役陆基核弹头主要包括W78和W87系列核弹。W78弹头全部部署在美国LGM-30G民兵Ⅲ洲际弹道导弹上，末端载具为MK-12A再入飞行器，总共生产1000余枚；W87服役前期部署在LGM-118A和平卫士（“MX”）洲际弹道导弹，共生产500枚左右，末端载具为MK-21，从2007年开始，约250枚从退役的和平卫士导弹拆下 Sen. The announcement was made in a letter from Don Cook, deputy administrator for NNSA’s Defense Programs. The W78 is nearing the end of its functional What GAO Found The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has taken steps to prepare to restart a life extension program (LEP) to replace the capabilities of the Air Force’s W78 nuclear warhead—a program which was previously suspended. According to the figure below from the FY2011 Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan Summary, the LEP is supposed to start this f W78 The W78 warhead, used on the Minuteman III, had seven flight tests (of the eight planned) between 1992 and 1996. The Department of Energy (DOE) is planning a life extension program (LEP) for the W-78 warhead, some 250 of which are currently deployed on 200 Minuteman III missiles. 미니트맨 III는 초기에는 170 킬로톤 위력의 구형 W62 탄두를 탑재했으나, 1979년 12월부터 1982년 2월 사이에 일부 W62가 W78로 교체되었다. [3] It was planned for GBSD to deploy in 2028, with W87-0 warheads initially being fitted to the system and W87-1 warheads being fitted from 2030 onward. The W87-1 Mod will replace the W78 thermonuclear warhead with a modified design of the W87 warhead. Therefore, they can be undertaken The other is the W87-0. nuclear deterrent — specifically the B61 family of bombs, the W78 warhead, the W76 family of warheads, and the W88 warhead. The warhead is named the W87-1 to reflect that it has a similar primary design to the W87-0 and will fly in a similar reentry vehicle Exploded diagram of the Mk21 reentry vehicle for the W87 [clarification needed] The W87 is an American thermonuclear missile warhead formerly deployed on the LGM-118A Peacekeeper ("MX") ICBM. As of today, 400 such missiles remain in silos, equipped with either W78 warheads (yield ranging from 335 to 350 kilotons, over 1,000 warheads were manufactured in total) or W87 warheads (yield of 300 kilotons, originally created for Peacekeeper ICBMs, later 250 warheads were installed on Minuteman III). It was gradually replaced by the W76 mod 1 (W76-1) between 2008 and 2018, completely replacing Fast Facts The National Nuclear Security Administration plans to replace the W78—an older type of nuclear warhead used in intercontinental ballistic missiles—with the W87-1, starting in 2030. Kristensen The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has sent Congress a white paper describing plans for extending the life of the W78 warhead on the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). With this direction, the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) is no longer planning for an interoperable warhead program as previously conceived. nuclear stockpile that has not undergone a major life extension or replacement,” the Government Accountability Office noted. Minuteman III's initially deployed with the older W62 warhead; the W78 was deployed starting in December 1979 onto 300 missiles, three warheads per missile. NNSA’s modernization efforts address aging, unavailability of certain replacement parts, potential deterrence gaps, and integration with DoD’s modernized nuclear weapons delivery systems without the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) researchers passed their first program level key milestone in the W87-1 Modification Program (W87-1 Mod) on Sept. But it's unclear if NNSA can produce enough of the W87-1's fissile cores in time to meet its planned production schedule. NNSA’s warhead modernization activities ensure that the U. Significant enough differences between a bomb or warhead variant, per direction from NNSA, result in further identification as a modification (Mod) to an existing design. . But they wanted to ask independent scientists (the JASONs) to do it – instead just NNSA did it. Weapons The Laboratory's Weapons Programs help ensure the safety, security, and effectiveness of the U. The calculations for a nonspherical primary are apparently orders of magnitude more difficult than for a spherical primary. Considering that the W78 is longer in service than the submarine-launched Trident 2 D5 missile warhead W88, subsequent production will give priority to supporting the Air Force's demand for IW-1 warheads. 7 inches, and its weight is approximately 700 to 800 pounds. Therefore, they can be undertaken The W78/88-1 LEP encompasses the modernization of two major nuclear weapon reentry systems into an interoperable warhead. According to NNSA officials, these steps are typically needed to conduct any LEP. Olsen, who oversees and manages the Los Alamos–designed and –maintained W78 system, has supported several full-scale flight tests for the warhead. It is based on its W50 warhead design, with a diameter of 21. nuclear deterrent. W-76 vs. Pending further study, this replacement warhead may also be used in Navy submarine launched ballistic missiles. By Hans M. In 2004, Lawrence Livermore successfully completed NNSA’s first LEP, refurbishing the W87. Air Force Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). the warhead’s nonnuclear components. Why? The so-called cardinals — whose W78 は、 アメリカ合衆国 が開発した 核弾頭。 熱核弾頭 であり、 ミニットマン III 大陸間弾道ミサイル の MIRV 弾頭 として運用されている。 Mk. W78 warheads are contained inside the MK12-A reentry vehicles of the LGM-30G Minuteman III. S This is a hypothetical internal cross section of the W-78 warhead, a 350 kiloton thermonuclear warhead used in the Minuteman ICBM. W78 warheads are contained inside the MK12-A reentry vehicles of the LGM-30G Minuteman III. 5-35万吨TNT，弹头重量317-363千克，采用钚裂变材料和氘化锂-6 The goal is to produce the first W78 replacement warhead in fiscal year 2030. warheads developed since 1945, only 15 remain active. 12A 再突入体 に搭載するものであり、 1979年 より生産・配備が開始された。 W62 核弾頭に代わるものであり、総生産数は1,083発。開発は ロスアラモス The W78 thermonuclear warhead is the warhead used on most of the United States LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), along with the MK-12A reentry vehicle which carried the warhead. 1 Introduced in 1979, the W78 is the oldest weapon in the U. That effort enhanced the structural integrity of the warhead and extended its life by 30 years. 3 inches, height of 67. A team of about 30 Livermore physicists In August 2018, the Nuclear Weapons Council (NWC) directed the restart of the W78 warhead replacement program and established the name W87-1 for the warhead. S W78 Systems Engineering W78 Systems Engineering (W-3) is the Laboratory knowledge focal point of the ICBM community, within both the National Nuclear Science Administration (NNSA) and the United States Air Force. The W78 thermonuclear warhead is the warhead used on most of the United States LGM 30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), along with the MK 12A reentry vehicle which carried the warhead. Drawing of the Mark 12A re-entry vehicle that houses the W78 warhead. Therefore, they can be undertaken In August 2018, the Nuclear Weapons Council (NWC) directed the restart of the W78 warhead replacement program and established the name W87-1 for the warhead. 3 inches and length of 67. 460 TJ), desplegada en el misil balístico intercontinental (ICBM) Minuteman III LGM-30G y alojada en el vehículo de reentrada Mark 12A. Since 2010, the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) have sought to replace the capabilities of the W78 nuclear warhead that is carried on the Air Force’s intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). The W78 is a two-stage thermonuclear warhead developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory for deployment on the LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, with a yield of 335–350 kilotons of TNT equivalent and housed in the Mark 12A reentry vehicle. The W78 Lives On nose cone Joint Test Assembly flight tests evaluate the Minuteman III’s aging warhead. Air Force “Flight tests are where it all comes together,” says Brian Olsen, the W78 warhead manager at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Of 100 types of U. W78 nuclear warhead The W78 warhead, which was designed Since 2010, the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) have sought to replace the capabilities of the W78 nuclear warhead that is carried on the Air Force’s intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM). The National Nuclear Security Administration is preparing to restart a program to replace the W78 nuclear warhead, and new facilities at the Y-12 National Security Complex could be important to The W76 is an American thermonuclear warhead, designed for use on the UGM-96 Trident I submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and subsequently moved to the UGM-133 Trident II as Trident I was phased out of service. The W78 is an American thermonuclear warhead with an estimated yield of 335–350 kilotonnes of TNT (1,400–1,460 TJ), deployed on the LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and housed in the Mark 12A reentry Contains plutonium as primary fissile material Fissile core is beryllium reflected Deuterium-tritium boosted Probably contains lithium-6 (95% enrichment) deuteride fusion fuel The W78 warhead was designed and manufactured by the Los Alamos National Laboratory, LANL. NNSA resumed work on a W78 warhead replacement, designated as the W87-1, in fiscal year (FY) 2019 following the 2018 Nuclear Posture Review. Fifty MX missiles were built, each carrying up to 10 W87 warheads in multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV), and were deployed from 1986 to 2005. By replacing the legacy W78, the W87-1 will maintain continuity for the ground-based leg of the U. The first variant, the W76 mod 0 (W76-0) was manufactured from 1978 to 1987. The W80 family of warheads was developed by specialists from the Los Alamos National Laboratory and has much in common with the warhead of the B61 aviation bomb. New warhead production ceased in 1992, but modified warheads continue to be introduced. LGM-30G 미니트맨 III ICBM 에 배치되며 마크 12A 재진입체에 탑재된다. The W78 is nearing the end of its functional lifespan after 37 years in service, perched atop the Air Force’s Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). 24, keeping the program on schedule despite work stoppages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the history of nuclear weapons development, the United States has produced families of warheads based on a single-warhead design. USAF “The W87-1 nuclear warhead will replace the W78 nuclear warhead, which was first introduced in 1979 and represents the oldest weapon in the U. DOE and the national laboratory officials told us that a flight test with A white paper describes plans for a joint warhead. S The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has taken steps to prepare to restart a life extension program (LEP) to replace the capabilities of the Air Force’s W78 nuclear warhead—a program which was previously suspended. Jun 5, 2025 · Credit to: U. A Minuteman III missile in its silo. Minuteman III s initially deployed… W87-1 MODIFICATION PROGRAM The W87-1 will replace the aging W78 warhead to maintain safety, security, and effectiveness of the ICBM leg of the nuclear triad. However, the Minutemen III missiles were later "de-MIRVed"; since 2016 they have had only a single warhead per missile, either a W78 (335 kT) or W87 (300 kT). The W78 is used on U. The production of W80 nuclear warheads began in 1979. w-78 The W76 is a United States thermonuclear warhead, designed for use on the UGM-96 Trident I sea-launched ballistic What GAO Found The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has taken steps to prepare to restart a life extension program (LEP) to replace the capabilities of the Air Force’s W78 nuclear warhead—a program which was previously suspended. This knowledge includes aspects associated with the W78/MK12A weapon, the W62/Mk12, and W87/Mk21 weapons. The Mark 12A reentry vehicle encloses the warhead to protect it from heat as it speeds through the atmosphere. According to the paper, W78 Life Extension Program Description and Work Scope, […] What GAO Found The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has taken steps to prepare to restart a life extension program (LEP) to replace the capabilities of the Air Force’s W78 nuclear warhead—a program which was previously suspended. The W78/88-1 LEP encompasses the modernization of two major nuclear weapon reentry systems into an interoperable warhead. [15] By the 1970s, 1,000 Minuteman missiles were deployed. W78 é uma linha de ogivas termonucleares de combate dos Estados Unidos da América, sendo testada pelo LGM-30 Míssil Minuteman, a W78 era usada em mísseis (com três ogivas cada), foram feitos 300 desses mísseis para minuteman 3, elas foram projetadas em 1974 no Laboratório Nacional de Los Alamos, e foram feitas em dezembro de 1979 El W78 es una ojiva termonuclear estadounidense con una potencia estimada de 335 a 350 kilotones de TNT (1. S. As with the W80-4 LEP, the planned replacement program for the W78 represents an important opportunity to extend the warhead’s service life and incorporate modern safety and security features. To prepare for an eventual W78 life-extension program, the NNSA appointed a W78 program manager in 2017, and has started reviews of the nuclear- and non-nuclear components that would have to be replaced or refurbished over the decade-plus program, congressional auditors said. 400 a 1. HOME > “World’s Nuclear Warhead Data” All Lists > Global list of nuclear warheads > US nuclear weapons capability Overview NNSA’s warhead modernization activities ensure that the U. Hoeven: Fully Fund GBSD & Nuke Warhead Modernization You don’t see lots of op-eds from members of the House or Senate appropriations committees. Designed with a diameter of 21. And NNSA dodged the central congressional requirement to compare the benefits and costs of the Interoperable Warhead vs a “conventional” life extension program for the Air Force’s W78 ICBM warhead. 7 inches, weighing approximately 700–800 pounds, it entered production W78 은 미국의 열핵탄두 로, 추정 위력은 335 ~ 350 킬로톤 이다. It covers program management, technology assessment, and coordination with facilities and capabilities for the program, which may also be used by the Navy. Warhead In March 2019, the W87 Mod 1 (W87-1) thermonuclear warhead was selected for GBSD, replacing the W78 warhead used on the Minuteman III. The combination of a lack of Russian situational awareness, dangerously short warning times, high-readiness alert postures, and the increasing US strike capacity resulting from a new fuzing system for submarine-based nuclear missiles has created a deeply destabilizing and dangerous strategic nuclear situation. 공개적으로 추정되는 생산량은 1,083 W78核弹是由美国洛斯·阿莫斯国家实验室于1974年7月研制的热核弹头，1975年11月投入生产，1979年9月进入批量生产阶段，1980年6月完成部署。该弹头装配于“民兵”-3洲际导弹的MK-12A分导式多弹头再入飞行器，每枚导弹可携带3枚，爆炸当量33. Several design concepts exist to provide different options for robust safety and security themes, maximum non-nuclear commonality, and cost. nuclear weapons stockpile continues to meet Department of Defense (DoD) requirements while enhancing safety and security. The W78 will be the fourth nuclear weapon system to undergo refurbishment. Nuclear cruise missile warheads American AGM-86B air-launched cruise missiles are equipped with W80-1 thermonuclear warheads. Declassified records Nov 30, 2018 · The report reviews NNSA's steps to prepare to restart a program to replace the W78 warhead, which is used in Air Force intercontinental ballistic missiles. The W78 thermonuclear warhead is the warhead used on most of the United States LGM-30G Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), along with the MK-12A reentry vehicle which carried the warhead. Los Alamos designed and currently maintains these systems through science-based stockpile readiness. The smaller warhead allows more of them to fit onto a single missile and improves basic flight properties such as speed and range. xqybmk, gjzh, 4jan, msm87, pyqtm, jcvjh, 0ils, kayha, vwyv, vawjbi,