[sci.military] Status of Neutron Bomb

mireley@horus.cem.msu.edu (John Mireley) (08/14/90)

From: mireley@horus.cem.msu.edu (John Mireley)
What is the status of the neutron bomb?

John Mireley

deichman@cod.nosc.mil (Shane D. Deichman) (08/23/90)

From: deichman@cod.nosc.mil (Shane D. Deichman)


"The enhanced radiation (ER) warhead -- or "neutron bomb" -- was the first
third generation nuclear warhead.  The concept evolved in 1958 and its development is credited to Samuel T. Cohen, then a physicist at the RAND Corp....

In October 1965 the W65, an ER warhead for the SPRINT anti-ballistic missile,
entered Phase 3.  The Livermore (LLNL) - designed warhead was cancelled in
January 1968 in favor of the Los Alamos - designed W66, which entered Phase
3 the same month.... The W66 warheads were recently retired.

Two battlefield ER weapons are currently in the stockpile: the W70-3 for the
LANCE missile, of which approximately 380 were produced between 5/81 and
2/83; and the W79 for the 8-inch artillery shell that began production in
7/81 and completed production in FY 86."

Hope this helps you guys out....


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