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Mk10

  • Designer
    • Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory
  • Service
    • Cancelled 1952
  • Type
    • Gun
  • Dimension(s)
    • 50″ x 14″
  • Weight(s)
    • ~3,000-3,500lbs
  • Yield(s)
    • ?
  • Prototype
    • TX-10

A Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL) gun-type airburst weapon, cancelled 1952.1.1 The primary service to utilize this weapon was to be the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy.5.1

In 1949, the Division of Military Application requested the Bureau of Ordnance to study the possible adaptation of the Mk8 as a light air-burst weapon. This study later matures into possible adaptation into a missile warhead, in which time the Santa Fe Operations Office authorizes the deletion of the warhead requirement in October 1950 with the bomb program officially being designated as the TX-102.1

By the beginning of August 1949, the in a report from the Military Liaison Committee (MLC) to the Secretary of Defense, they believed that the airburst ELSIE might be adapted to missile warheads, and that the weapon would be appreciably smaller than present airburst bombs. Preliminary figures indicated that the bomb configuration would have a warhead approximately 50″ long, with a 14″ diameter, and a weight of 3,000 to 3,500lbs4.1

In May 1950, Navy Bureau of Ordnance proposed the airburst ELSIE or “LF” (LITTLE FREDDIE) that was to be a 1,750lb air-dropped weapon with a yield on the order of 12-15Kt.4.1

Preliminary design and planning work on a new USAF missile was begun by Sandia Corporation in November 1950. An informal development program for the ballistic case was placed with North American Aviation, Inc. However at the meeting of the Sandia Weapons Development Board on 20 December 1950, recommendation was made that the requirement for this weapon be withdrawn. With the possibility strong that the recommendation would be approved, work on the TX-10 was slowed considerably.3.1

In 1950 the TX-G Committee compares the design to the TX-7 and recommends that the TX-10 project be terminated. Later in April 1951 the design is reviewed by the Sandia Weapons Development Board and it’s found to not meet desired military characteristics and returns it to the study phase.2.2

May 7th 1952, Military Liaison Committee reports TX-10 project cancelled by Joint Chiefs of Staff.2.2 This was the first weapon developed by Los Alamos that did not go on to production.4.2

  1. Hansen, C. (1988). US Nuclear Weapons: The Secret History. Crown Publishers Inc. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/16404602
    1. p.106
  2. Information Research Division 3434. (1967). History of Gun-Type Bombs and Warheads Mks 8, 10, and 11 (RS 3434/7). Los Alamos National Laboratory. https://osf.io/46sfd/
    1. p.6
    2. p.7
  3. Defense Atomic Support Agency. (1959). First History of AFSWP 1947-1954: Volume 3, 1950: Chapter 4—Sandia Base (Vol. 3). https://ntrl.ntis.gov/NTRL/dashboard/searchResults/titleDetail/PB99143745.xhtml
    1. p.216
  4. Hansen, C. (1995). Swords of Armageddon: U.S. Nuclear Weapons Histories—Gravity Bombs, Anti-Submarine Weapons, and Atomic Demolition Munitions (2nd Edition, Vol. 5). Chukelea Publications. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/62490342
    1. p.351 (PDF Page)
    2. p.355 (PDF Page)
  5. Cochran, T. B., Arkin, W. M., & Hoenig, M. M. (1984). Nuclear Weapons Databook Volume 1: U.S. Nuclear Forces and Capabilities (Vol. 1). Ballinger Publishing Company. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/566100883
    1. p.29 (PDF Page)