List of nuclear weapons

Updated on Jan 18, 2024

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This is a list of nuclear weapons listed according to country of origin, and then by type within the states.

United States

US nuclear weapons of all types – bombs, warheads, shells, and others – are numbered in the same sequence starting with the Mark 1 and (as of March 2006) ending with the W-91 (which was canceled prior to introduction into service). All designs which were formally intended to be weapons at some point received a number designation. Pure test units which were experiments (and not intended to be weapons) are not numbered in this sequence.

Early weapons were very large and could only be used as free fall bombs. These were known by "Mark" designators, like the Mark 4 which was a development of the Fat Man weapon. As weapons became more sophisticated they also became much smaller and lighter, allowing them to be used in many roles. At this time the weapons began to receive designations based on their role; bombs were given the prefix "B", while the same warhead used in other roles, like missiles, would normally be prefixed "W". For instance, the W-53 warhead was also used as the basis for the B53 nuclear bomb. Such examples share the same sequence number.

In other cases, when the modifications are more significant, variants are assigned their own number. An example is the B61 nuclear bomb, which was the parent design for the W80, W81, and W84. There are also examples of out-of-sequence numbering and other prefixes used in special occasions.

This list includes weapons which were developed to the point of being assigned a model number (and in many cases, prototypes were test fired), but which were then canceled prior to introduction into military service. Those models are listed as canceled, along with the year or date of cancellation of their program.

Bombs – designated with Mark ("Mk") numbers until 1968, and with "B" numbers after that. "Test Experimental" bombs designated with "TX".

Mark 1 – "Little Boy" gun-type uranium weapon (used against Hiroshima). (13–18 kilotons, 1945–1950)

Mark 2 – "Thin Man" plutonium gun design—cancelled in 1944

Implosion Mark 2 – Another Manhattan Project plutonium implosion weapon, a hollow pit implosion design, was also sometimes referred to as Mark 2. Also cancelled 1944.

Mark 3 – "Fat Man" plutonium implosion weapon (used against Nagasaki). (21 kilotons, 1945–1950)

Mark 4 – Post-war "Fat Man" redesign. Bomb designed with weapon characteristics as the foremost criteria. (1949–1953)

Mark 5 – Significantly smaller high efficiency nuclear bomb. (1–120 kilotons, 1952–1963)

Mark 6 – Improved version of Mk-4. (8–160 kilotons, 1951–1962)

Mark 7 – Multi-purpose tactical bomb. (8–61 kilotons, 1952–1967)

Mark 8 – Gun-assembly, HEU weapon designed for penetrating hardened targets. (25–30 kilotons, 1951–1957)

Mark 10 – Improved version of Mk-8 (12–15 kilotons, cancelled May 1952).

Mark 11 – Re-designed Mk-8. Gun-type (8–30 kilotons).

Mark 12 – Light-weight bomb to be carried by fighter aircraft (12–14 kilotons).

Mark 13 – Improved version of Mk-6 (cancelled August 1954).

TX/Mark 14 – First deployable solid-fuel thermonuclear bomb (Castle Union device). Only five produced. (5 Megatons)

Mark 15 – First "lightweight" thermonuclear weapon. (1.7–3.8 Megatons, 1955–1965)

TX/Mark 16 – First weaponized thermonuclear weapon (Ivy Mike device). Only cryogenic weapon ever deployed. Only five produced. (6–8 Megatons)

Mark 17 – High-yield thermonuclear. Heaviest U.S. weapon, second highest yield of any U.S. weapon. Very similar to Mk-24. (10–15 Megatons)

Mark 18 – Very high yield fission weapon (Ivy King device).

Mark 20 – Improved Mark 13 (cancelled 1954)

Mark 21 – Re-designed variant of Castle Bravo test

Mark 22 – Failed thermonuclear design (Castle Koon device, cancelled April 1954).

Mark 24 – High-yield thermonuclear, very similar to Mk-17 but had a different secondary.

Mark 26 – Similar design to Mk 21 (cancelled 1956).

Mark 27 – Navy nuclear bomb (1958–1965)

B28 nuclear bomb (Mark 28) (1958–1991)

Mark 36 – Strategic nuclear bomb (1956–1961) 9–10 Megatons

B39 nuclear bomb (Mark 39) (1957–1966)

B41 nuclear bomb (Mark 41) (1960–1976); highest yield US nuclear weapon (25 Megatons).

B43 nuclear bomb (Mark 43) (1961–1991)

B46 nuclear bomb or (Mark 46); experimental, design evolved into B53 nuclear bomb and W-53 warhead (cancelled 1958)

Mk 101 Lulu

B53 nuclear bomb (1962–1997; dismantled 2010–2011)

B57 nuclear bomb (1963–1993)

B61 nuclear bomb (1966–present)

B77 nuclear bomb (cancelled 1977)

B83 nuclear bomb (1983–present)

B90 nuclear bomb (cancelled 1991)

Nuclear artillery shells

16-inch (406 mm)

W23 (1956–1962) Gun-type

280 mm:

W9 (1952–1957) Gun-type

W19 (1953–1956) Gun-type, W9 derivative

8-inch (203 mm)

W33 (1956–1980s) Gun-type

W75 (cancelled 1973)

W79 (1981–1992)

155mm

W48 (1963–1992)

W74 (cancelled 1973)

W82 (cancelled 1983 (W-82-0 Enhanced Radiation) and 1990 (W-82-1 fission only))

Atomic Demolition Munitions

W-7/ADM-B (c. 1954–1967)

T4 ADM (1957–1963) Gun-type

W30/Tactical Atomic Demolition Munition (1961–1966)

W31/ADM (1960–1965)

W45/Medium Atomic Demolition Munition (1964–1984)

W54/Special Atomic Demolition Munition (1965–1989)

Missile warheads

W4 for SM-62 Snark missile (cancelled 1951)

W5 for MGM-1 Matador (1954–1963)

W7 for MGR-1 Honest John (1954–1960), Corporal SRBM (1955–1964), Nike Hercules SAM (1958–1960s)

W8 for SSM-N-8 Regulus, Gun-type (cancelled 1955)

W12 for RIM-8 Talos missile (cancelled 1955)

W13 for SM-62 Snark missile and Redstone MRBM (cancelled 1954)

W15 for missiles (cancelled 1957)

W21 for B-58 bomber, SM-64 Navaho missile (cancelled 1957)

W25 for MB-1 "Ding Dong", later AIR-2 Genie (1957–1984)

W27 for SSM-N-8 Regulus missile (1958–1965)

W28 for AGM-28 Hound Dog missile, MGM-13 Mace missile (1958–1976)

W29 for (cancelled 1955)

W30 for RIM-8 Talos missile (1959–1979)

W31 for Honest John (1961–1985), Nike Hercules (1960s–1988)

W34 for Mk101 Lulu nuclear depth charge, Mk45 ASTOR torpedo, Mk105 bomb (1958–1976)

W35 for Atlas ICBM, Titan I ICBM, Thor IRBM, PGM-19 Jupiter (cancelled 1958)

W37 (cancelled 1956)

W38 for Atlas ICBM and Titan I ICBM (1961–1965)

W39 for Redstone MRBM (1958–1964)

W40 for MGM-18 Lacrosse SRBM (1959–1964)

W41 for (cancelled 1957)

W42 for Air to Air and Surface to Air missiles (cancelled 1961)

W44 for ASROC (1961–1989)

W45 for Little John rocket, RIM-2 Terrier and AGM-12 Bullpup missiles, MADM (1961–1969 (some 1988))

W46 for Redstone, Snark, B-58 (cancelled 1958)

W47 for Polaris SLBM (1960–1974)

W49 for PGM-19 Jupiter (1959–1963) and Thor IRBM (1959–1963)

W50 for MGM-31 Pershing (1960–1990)

W51 for various (program converted to W54 in 1959)

W52 for MGM-29 Sergeant (1962–1977)

W53 for LGM-25C Titan II (1962–1987)

W54 for Davy Crockett recoilless rifle and AIM-26 Falcon AAM (1961–1972)

W55 for Subroc (1965–1989)

W56 for Minuteman I and II ICBM (1963–1993)

W58 for Polaris A-3 SLBM (1964–1982)

W59 for Minuteman I ICBM and Skybolt missile (1962–1969)

W60 for Typhon SAM (cancelled 1963)

W62 for Minuteman III ICBM, (1970–2010)

W63 for Lance SRBM (cancelled 1966)

W64 for Lance SRBM (cancelled 1964)

W65 for Sprint ABM (cancelled 1968)

W66 for Sprint ABM (1970–1975)

W67 for Poseidon SLBM and Minuteman III ICBM (cancelled 1967)

W68 for Poseidon SLBM (1970–1991)

W69 for AGM-69 SRAM (1972–1990)

W70 for Lance SRBM (1973–1992)

W71 for LIM-49A Spartan ABM (1974–1975; dismantled 1992)

W72 for AGM-62 Walleye (1970–1979)

W73 for Condor missile (cancelled 1970)

W76 for Trident I SLBM (1978–present)

W78 for LGM-30 Minuteman III (1979–present)

W80 for AGM-86 ALCM, AGM-129 ACM and BGM-109 Tomahawk (1981–present)

W81 for RIM-67 Standard ER, based on B61 (cancelled 1986)

W84 for BGM-109G Gryphon GLCM (1983–1991)

W85 for Pershing II Weapon System (1983–1991)

W86 for Pershing II Weapon System Earth penetrating warhead option (cancelled 1980)

W87 for Peacekeeper ICBM (1986–2005) and Minuteman III ICBM (2007–present)

W87-1 for MGM-134 Midgetman ICBM (cancelled 1992)

W88 for Trident II SLBM (1988–present)

W89 for AGM-131 SRAM II (cancelled 1991)

W91 for SRAM-T (cancelled 1991)

RNEP (Robust Nuclear Earth Penetrator) design program (2001–2005)

Cancelled design projects

Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW1) design program (2004–2008)

Common nuclear primaries

A number of American weapons designs shared common components between several designs. These include publicly identified models listed below.

Soviet Union/Russian Federation

At the peak of its arsenal in 1988, Russia possessed around 45,000 nuclear weapons in its stockpile, roughly 13,000 more than the United States arsenal, the second largest in the world, which peaked in 1966.

Tests

Joe-1

Torpedoes

53-58 torpedo with 10 kilotons RDS-9 warhead

65-73 torpedo with 20 kilotons

VA-111 Shkval with 150 kilotons

Bombs

RDS-1, 22 kiloton bomb. Tested 29 August 1949 as "First Light" (Joe 1). Total of 5 stockpiled

RDS-2, 38 kiloton bomb. Tested 24 September 1951 as "Second Light." The RDS-2 was an entirely Russian design, delayed by development of the RDS-1

RDS-3, 42 kiloton bomb. First Soviet bomb tested in an airdrop on 18 October 1951. First 'mass-produced" Soviet bomb

RDS-3I, 62 kiloton bomb. Tested 24 October 1954. The RDS-31 was an improved RDS-3 with external neutron generator

RDS-4, "Tatyana" 42 kiloton bomb. The RDS-4 was smaller and lighter than previous Soviet Bombs.

RDS-6, also known as RDS-6S, or "sloika" or 'layer cake" gaining about 20% of its yield from fusion. RDS-6 was tested on 12 August 1953. Yield 400 kilotons

RDS-7, a backup for the RDS-6, the RDS-7 was a 500 kiloton all fission bomb comparable to the US Mk-18, development dropped after success of the RDS-6S

RDS-27, 250 kiloton bomb, a 'boosted' fission bomb tested 6 November 1955.

RDS-37, 1.6 megaton bomb, the first Soviet two-stage hydrogen bomb, tested 22 November 1955

RDS-220 Tsar Bomba an extremely large three stage bomb, initially designed as a 100-megaton-bomb, but was scaled down to 50 megatons for testing.

Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles

RDS-9, 40 kiloton warhead for R-5M MRBM (SS-3)

RDS-37 3 megaton warhead for R7 Semyorka / SS-6 ICBM

RDS-46 5 megaton warhead for R-7A Semyorka / SS-6 ICBM

8F17 3 megaton warhead for R-16 / SS-7 ICBM

8F115 and 8F116 5-6 megaton warhead for R-16 / SS-7 ICBM

Unknown model warheads for R-9 / SS-8 Sasin ICBM

15F42 1.2 megaton warhead for UR 100U / SS-11 Mod 3 Sego ICBM

Unknown model 750 kiloton to 1.0 megaton warhead for RT-2 / SS-13 Mod 1 Savage ICBM

15F1r 750 kiloton to 1.65 megaton warhead for RT-2 / SS-13 Mod 2 Savage ICBM

Unknown model 466 kiloton warhead for RT-2 / SS-13 Mod 3 Savage ICBM

Unknown model 500 kiloton warhead for RT-20 / SS-15 Scrooge ICBM

Unknown model 1.5 megaton warhead for RT-20 / SS-15 Scrooge ICBM

Unknown model 650 kiloton to 1.5 megaton warheads for RT-21 Temp 2S SS-16 Sinner ICBM

Unknown model 300–750 kiloton warheads for MR-UR-100 Sotka / SS-17 Spanker Mod 1 ICBM

Unknown model 4–6 megaton warhead for MR-UR-100 Sotka / SS-17 Spanker Mod 2 ICBM

8F675 (Mod2) 20 megaton warhead for R-36M2 / SS-18 Satan ICBM

8F021 2 or 5 megaton warheads for R-36MP / SS-18 Satan ICBM (3 MIRV warheads)

unknown 550 kiloton warheads for R-36M2 / SS-18 Satan ICBM (10 MIRV warheads)

Unknown model 750 kiloton warheads for R-36M2 / SS-18 Satan ICBM (10 MIRV warheads)

Unknown model 550 kiloton warheads for UR-100N / SS-19 Mod 1 Stilleto ICBM (6 MIRV warheads)

Unknown model 2.5–5 megaton warhead for UR-100N / SS-19 Mod 2 Stilleto ICBM

Unknown model 550 kiloton warheads for RT-23 Molodets / SS-24 Scalpel ICBM (10 MIRV warheads)

Unknown model 550 kiloton warhead for RT-2PM Topol / SS-25 Sickle ICBM

Unknown model 550 kiloton warhead for RT-2UTTH Topol M / SS-27 ICBM

Various tactical nuclear weapons including "suitcase bombs" (RA-115 or RA-115-01 as examples)

United Kingdom

Blue Steel Yellow Sun productionised air-delivered Thermonuclear bomb casing.

Warheads

Blue Danube Tallboy casing with Fission warhead.

Red Snow for Yellow Sun Mk.2.

Green Grass For Yellow Sun Mk.1.

Red Beard, tactical nuclear weapon.

WE.177 (also used as a nuclear depth charge).

Blue Cat - nuclear warhead a.k.a. Tony - UK version of US W44, a.k.a. Tsetse.

Blue Fox - kiloton range nuclear weapon, later renamed Indigo Hammer - not to be confused with the later Blue Fox radar.

Blue Peacock ten-kiloton nuclear land mine, a.k.a. the "chicken-powered nuclear bomb", originally 'Blue Bunny' It used the Blue Danube physics package.

Blue Rosette - short-case nuclear weapon bomb casing for reconnaissance bomber to spec R156T, including the Avro 730, Handley Page HP.100, English Electric P10, Vickers SP4 and various others.

Blue Slug - nuclear ship-to-ship missile using Sea Slug launcher.

Blue Water - nuclear tipped surface to surface missile.

Green Bamboo - nuclear weapon.

Green Cheese - nuclear anti-ship missile.

Green Flash - Green Cheese's replacement.

Green Granite - nuclear weapons - Green Granite (small) & Green Granite (large).

Green Grass - nuclear weapon

Indigo Hammer - nuclear weapon

Orange Herald - fusion-boosted fission weapon. It is believed that the fusion boost didn't work, which would make it the most powerful fission bomb ever tested at 720 kt.

Violet Club - nuclear weapon

France

France is said to have an arsenal of 350 nuclear weapons stockpiled as of 2002.

Bombs

AN 11

AN 22

AN 52 (MR 50 CTC)

Warheads (and missiles)

MR 31 (S2)

MR 41 (M1 and M2)

MR 50 CTC (AN 51 CTC and AN 52 CTC)

AN 51 CTC (Pluton)

AN 52 CTC (AN 52)

TN 60 (M20)

TN 61 (M20 and S3)

TN 70 MIRV (M4)

TN 71 MIRV (M4)

TN 75 MIRV (M45 and M51)

TN 76 MIRV (M5)

TN 80 (ASMP)

TN 81 (ASMP)

TN 90 (Hàdes)

TNA (ASMP-A)

TNO MIRV (M51)

China

China is believed to possess around 250 nuclear weapons, but has released very little information about the contents of its arsenal.

Tests:

596 (nuclear test)

Test No. 6

Ballistic Missiles:

DF-1

DF-2

DF-31B

P-12

Cruise Missiles

DH-10

CJ-10

HN1

HN2

HN3

CF-2

CF-1

SS-N-2

India

India is believed to possess between 90-150 nuclear weapons (March 2010 estimate). The specifications of its weapon production are not disclosed to the public.

Israel

Israel is widely believed to possess a substantial arsenal of nuclear weapons and missiles, estimated at 75-130 and 100-200 warheads, but refuses officially to confirm or deny whether it has a nuclear weapon program, leaving the details of any such weapons unclear. Mordechai Vanunu, a former nuclear technician for Israel, confirmed the existence of a nuclear weapons program in 1986.

Unconfirmed rumors have hinted at tactical nuclear artillery shells, light fission bombs and missile warheads, and perhaps thermonuclear missile warheads.

The BBC News Online website published an article on 28 May 2008, which quotes former U.S. President Jimmy Carter as stating that Israel has at least 150 nuclear weapons. The article continues to state that this is the second confirmation of Israel's nuclear capability by a U.S. spokesman following comments from U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates at a Senate hearing and had apparently been confirmed a short time later by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Pakistan

As of March 2010, Pakistan is believed to possess between 90-120 nuclear weapons. The specifications of its weapon production are not disclosed to the public. The main series for nuclear transportation is Hatf.Pakistan is also believed to have a second strike capability.

North Korea

North Korea claims to possess nuclear weapons, however, the specifications of its systems are not public. It is estimated to have 6-18 low yield nuclear weapons (August 2012 estimate). On 9 October 2006, North Korea carried out an alleged nuclear test. (See 2006 North Korean nuclear test) Nuclear weapons produced by North Korea are known to have failed.

On 25 May 2009, North Korea conducted a second test of nuclear weapons at the same location as the original test. The test weapon was of the same magnitude as the atomic bombs dropped on Japan in the 2nd World War. At the same time of the test, North Korea tested two short range ballistic missiles. North Korea is continuously carrying on nuclear tests, such as on 2 February 2013, when it tested a 7 kt nuclear weapon.

South Africa

South Africa built six or seven gun-type weapons. All constructed weapons were verified by International Atomic Energy Agency and other international observers to have been dismantled, along with the complete weapons program, and their highly enriched uranium was reprocessed back into low enriched form unsuitable for weapons.