Mk59
| Designer |
| Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory |
| Type |
| Implosion |
| Dimension(s) |
| 16.3″ x 47.8″ |
| Weight(s) |
| 550lbs |
| Yield(s) |
| ? |
| Application |
| (WARHEAD) W59 / Mk5 – Minuteman I (LGM-30A) – Air Force |
Designed by Los Alamos National Laboratory3.2 utilizing the “Tsetse” primary.4.1
Weighing between 550-553lbs, it was 16.3″ long and had a diameter of 47.8″. Roughly 150 were produced.3.2
Possibly tested in Operation Dominic II, shot Sunset1.1
Deployed with the Minuteman I (LGM-30A) ICBM2.1, 5.1
Claimed to use the “Tsetse” primary, which was a two-point initiated, beryllium reflected, one-point-safe, pit.3.1
References
- Norris, R. S., & Cochran, T. B. (1994). United States Nuclear Tests July 1945 to 31 December 1992 (NWD 94-1; p. 74). Natural Resources Defense Council. https://fas.org/nuke/cochran/nuc_02019401a_121.pdf
- p.35
- Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters (ODASD(NM)). (2020). Nuclear Matters Handbook 2020. Retrieved from https://www.acq.osd.mil/ncbdp/nm/nmhb/docs/NMHB2020.pdf
- p.42
- Goetz, P. (2018). A Technical History of America’s Nuclear Arms: Volume I – Introduction and Weapon Systems Through 1960 (1st Edition, Vol. 1). Amazon Digital Services LLC – KDP Print U.S. https://books.google.it/books/about/A_Technical_History_of_America_s_Nuclear.html?id=cBcVuwEACAAJ&redir_esc=y
- p.440
- p.568
- 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
- p.55
- Neufeld, J. (1971). USAF Ballistic Missile Programs 1969-1970 (p. 74). Office of Air Force History. https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/nukevault/ebb249/doc06.pdf
- p.8 (PDF Page)