Mk53

Was approximately 148″ (12.4′) long and 50″ (4.2′) in diameter. Weighing approximately 8900lbs_1.1

The B53-1 has also been reported as being approximately 144.6″ long with the same 50″ diameter with a weight of 8890lbs_4.1

Used conventional High Explosives (CHE)_4.8

The B53 was 148″ long and 50″ in diameter and weighed approximately 8,850lbs_8.2

The Basic Assembly (BA) was 101″ long and 37″ in diameter and weighed 6,750lbs_4.1

The Mk53, Type 76 pit_4.4, primary is all Oralloy (U235)_4.2

Used a Type 2A-24 Deuterium-Tritium (D-T) gas reservoir and valve assembly. Each Type 1A squib contains an electro-explosive device (EED) that initiates 25mg of lead styphnate, which in turn initiates 175mg of ball powder (black powder). The Type 1A valve assembly contains a visible thermal plug that is designed to open in a fire environment (operating temperature 104C). If the actuator squibs with the thermal plug open, the gas generated by the actuators is vented to the outside and the plunger will not be forced onto the reservoir and pit tubes with enough velocity to cut the tubes. Cutting these tubes is the only way of transferring the D-T gas to the pit._4.4

The Mod 1 added an intent-operated strong-link, it does not have Insensitive High-Explosives (IHE), Fire-Resistant Pit (FRP), Permissive Action Link (PAL), or Command Disablement System (CDS) capability_4.3

Mk53 – Mated with Mk6 re-entry aeroshell._{2.1, 8.1}

The Mk6 Re-entry vehicle (RV) weighed approximately 8,157lbs._8.3 Based on the success of the G.E. Century Series ablative materials, as demonstrated on the RVX-2A program, G.E. Re-entry Systems was awarded a contract for the Titan II ICBM. This sphere-cone design was the largest RV in the U.S. arsenal, with a length of 14′ and a weight of 8,000lbs._12.1

The spin-stabilized ablative G.E. Mk6 RV was 122.27 inches long, 90 inches in diameter at its base, and weighed 2,076 lbs., including a shell, aft cover, and spacer assembly. (Overall length of the RV plus spacer assembly was 15 feet; the spacer assembly had a maximum diameter of 103” at its base.) The 1,069 lb. cone-shaped, spherical-nose RV shell was composed primarily of an aluminum honeycomb internal structure to which was bonded an ablative phenolic heat shield several inches thick; the honeycomb structure provided an insulating dead airspace to block heat transfer from the phenolic ablation shield._2.1

The H794 Hand Truck was used for storage and handling of the B53_7.1

The H795 Bomb Hand Truck adapter kit was used in conjunction with the H794 to secure the B53 to the hand truck._7.2

The H799 Bomb Sling was used for maneuvering of the B53 out of the H794 hand truck_7.3

The H836 Hoisting beam was used to lift bomb basic assembly and BSC segment._1.5

One of two reported yields was Y1 at 9Mt_9.1 (Sources 2.1, 3.1, & 5.1 do not specify which Mod of B53 this yield was specified for. Source 6.1 shows redacted entries for the Mk53-0 Y1 and for a “Clean” Y2) _{2.1, 3.1, 5.1 & 6.1}

With the First Production Unit (FPU) coming into service in August 1962_10.1, as of February 25 1988, the B53-0 was no longer in the stockpile_4.1

The only ALT affecting the B53-1 was ALT 916 which, being an ALT 900-series, removed the gas boosting reservoir_4.1

The bomb configuration consists of the basic assembly (BA) which contains the nuclear system and bomb electrical component assembly._{1.1 & 4.1}

B53-1 Configuration C: Cased HE/Pit assembly but short of UU package configuration

Configuration D: UU package configuration_1.4

MC4065 Power Pack_1.2
MC4066 Neutron Generators x2_1.2
MC4072 Interface Unit_4.5
MC744B X-Unit_1.2
MC1060 Electric Detonators_4.6
– Used to deploy parachutes_4.6
MC1200A Fuzing System Control Selector_4.5
MC1204 Switch Pack_4.7
MC1262 Fast-Rise Thermal Batteries x2_{1.2 & 4.1}
MC1264 Thermal Batteries x2_{1.2 & 4.1}
MC1268 Interval Timer_4.6
– Used as a trajectory sensing device_4.6
MC1199 Electrical System Safing Switch_1.3
– The safing switch was operated manually and provides visual indication of the switch position (safe, retard, or free-fall). The handle is then mechanically locked in the safe position by a solenoid-operated pin which can be utilized with or without power applied to the solenoid._1.3
MC1315 Sequential Timers_4.6
– Used for parachute timers_4.6
MC1178 Laydown Timer Motor_4.7
MC2929 Strong-link Switch_4.6

Arming and firing system is dual-channel except for the capacitor bank, and the spark gap._1.2

Between June & December of 1963, 54 W53s were deployed to three different bases with the Titan II missile._5.1