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Mk56

Designer
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Type
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Dimension(s)
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Weight(s)
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Yield(s)
1.2Mt
Application
(WARHEAD) W56 / Mk11A – Minuteman IB (LGM-30B)

(WARHEAD) W56 / Mk11B – Minuteman IB (LGM-30B)

(WARHEAD W56 / Mk11C – Minuteman II (LGM-30F)

First stockpiled in March of 1964, it was used with the Minuteman I4.2, and Minuteman II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)4.1, had a yield of 1.2mt1.1, 4.1

Tested in a partial-yield shot on April 22, 1986 in Operation Charioteer2.1, shot Jefferson in shaft U20ai of the Nevada Test Site (NTS)3.1

Paired with the Mk11A, B, & C Reentry body1.2, 6.1

The Mk11B & Mk11C Reentry bodies used the Mk1 chaff dispenser, later to be replaced by the Mk1A system which substituted foil dispensers for chaff bags to extend radar frequency and improve masking capability. The Mk1A became operational during July 1969 with the Air Force later purchasing 346 of them.5.1

In December 1987 there were approximately 475 warheads stockpiled4.1

A Mk56 Mod 1 was involved in an accident at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota on 5 December 19647.1

Mk11 Aeroshell being manufactured
Mk56 mated with the Mk11 aeroshell, potentially at the Manzano Mountain storage facility
(Retrieved from https://cdn10.picryl.com/photo/1981/11/23/technicians-work-on-an-advanced-ballistic-re-entry-system-hardware-nose-cone-f71f21-1600.jpg)
Mk56 with the Mk11 aeroshell
Technicians mating a Mk1/1A chaff dispenser atop either a Minuteman IB or II (Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/npgallery/GetAsset/c8a026f7-fa4b-4471-bd10-c934527685f4/proxy/hires?)
(Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/npgallery/GetAsset/612c549d-8575-4f24-bb76-2eacbae803e0/proxy/hires?)
(Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/npgallery/GetAsset/cdf90428-e846-48c7-a416-abeaf63d1faa/proxy/hires?)
Retrieved from Nuclear Weapons of the United States-An Illustrated History
(Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/npgallery/GetAsset/648b296d-aa5c-421e-a948-2460cfa396f3/proxy/hires?)
(Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/npgallery/GetAsset/4f108df3-a2b3-41f8-8a0c-7940b56fca84/proxy/hires?)
Museum mock-up of a Mk11C aeroshell atop a Mk1A chaff dispenser mated to a Minuteman II (LGM-30F) (Retrieved from https://scontent-mxp1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/192088347_4322897774429651_1308530133892485421_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=J401rsy6-64AX_yEEOm&_nc_ht=scontent-mxp1-1.xx&oh=3471bf32e112490841674fd4890c5a2b&oe=60CCBF1A)
(Retrieved from Air Power History; Vol 64, Issue 3)

References

  1. Cochran, T. B., Arkin, W. M., & Hoenig, M. M. (1984). Nuclear Weapons Databook Volume 1: U.S. Nuclear Forces and Capabilities. Ballinger Publishing Company. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/566100883
    1. p.4
    2. p.107
  2. Hansen, Chuck. (2001). Beware the Old Story. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 57(1–6). https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rbul20/57/1?nav=tocList
    1. 54
  3. National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Field Office (2015). United States Nuclear Tests July 1945 through September 1992 (Report No. DOE/NV–209-REV 16)
    1. p.104
  4. Cochran, T. B., Arkin, W. M., & Norris, R. S. (1987). The Bomb Book: The Nuclear Arms Race In Facts and Figures. Natural Resources Defense Council. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/18374832
    1. p.5 (PDF Page)
    2. p.52 (PDF Page)
  5. Neufeld, J. (1971). USAF Ballistic Missile Programs 1969-1970 (p. 74). Office of Air Force History. https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/nukevault/ebb249/doc06.pdf
    1. p.9 (PDF Page)
  6. Brown, L. A., & Higuera, M. C. (1998). Weapon Container Catalog Volumes 1 & 2 (SAND 97-8017). Sandia National Laboratories. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/188996346.pdf
    1. p.98 (PDF Page)
  7. Mason & Hanger-Silas Mason Co., Inc. (1965). Broken Arrow Examination; Mason & Hanger-Silas Mason Co., Inc. Clarksville Facility (MH-SM-CF-PPR-BAE-65702; p. 417). https://www.governmentattic.org/40docs/NNSApost1980BrokenArrow_2021.pdf
    1. p.42 (PDF Page)