Tactical nuclear weapon

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Tactical nuclear weapons, from the standpoint of purpose, are used by land, sea, or air forces against enemy forces, supporting installations or facilities, in support of operations that contribute to the accomplishment of a military mission of limited scoper usually limited to the area of military operations. The usage tends to imply a lower explosive yield than strategic nuclear weapons, although early "tactical" weapons, before nuclear weapons miniaturization technology advanced, often had quite substantial yields. The "tactical" aspect, at first, related more to the capability to deliver them using weapons available to field commanders: fighter aircraft, cannon, short and medium range guided missiles, unguided rockets, torpedoes, etc.

A tactical mission, in support of ground troops, which might have called for nuclear weapons in the past might be to destroy a key bridge, or perhaps stop a large tank formation. Today, these missions can be conducted with precision guided munitions. When each tank can be hit by a separate munition, it is not necessary to obliterate the entire area.

Physically small tactical nuclear weapons carry the greatest risk of diversion. Most countries that possessed tactical nuclear weapons have either eliminated them or greatly reduced their inventory. ^[1] The greatest reduction came with weapons under the direct control of ground forces, such as artillery shells, short-range missiles and atomic demolition munitions. One of the problems with these short-range weapons is a "use them or lose them" paradigm; they had to be used quickly, giving little time for political decision, or they could be overrun.

Missions[edit]

Countries[edit]

Some NATO countries have joint custody of U.S. weapons under "dual key" arrangements.

Russia[edit]

United States[edit]

At the present time, the U.S. only has one tactical nuclear weapon, the B61 bomb, certified for carriage by U.S. B-52 and B-2 heavy bombers, and most U.S. and NATO fighter-bombers including the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-15 Strike Eagle, AV-8 Harrier and Panavia Tornado.

No tactical nuclear weapons are carried on ships, although the F-18 Hornet could deliver them. B57 bomb/depth charges recently were retired, but could be carried by a number of sea- and land-based maritime patrol aircraft and antisubmarine helicopters.

Israel[edit]

France[edit]

China[edit]

United States[edit]

References[edit]