Data Quality85%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the general purpose (iron) bombs category.
01 / Overview
B43 nuclear bomb
Category
Country
Production
1961–1965
Quantity
2,000
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE (IRON) BOMBS · EARLY COLD WAR
17
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
45
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the general purpose (iron) bombs category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- Munition Typethermonuclear gravity bomb
- Service Entry Year1961
- Total Weight947.5 kg
- Length3.98 m
- Diameter450 mm
- In ServiceYes
◈Guidance5MOD.5
- GuidedNo
- Guidance Typeunguided
- GPS / INS GuidanceNo
- Laser GuidanceNo
- Imaging InfraredNo
▣Warhead & Effect7MOD.7
- Warhead Typethermonuclear
- Explosive Filler Weight947.5 kg
- Filler TypeTsetse primary
- Penetrator / Bunker-BusterNo
- Cluster MunitionNo
- Submunitions0
- Thermobaric / Fuel-AirNo
◇Delivery2MOD.2
◆Platform4MOD.4
- Compatible AircraftA-3 Skywarrior, A-4 Skyhawk, A-5 Vigilante, A-6 Intruder, A-7 Corsair II, B-47 Stratojet, B-52 Stratofortress, B-58A Hustler, F-100 Super Sabre, F-105 Thunderchief, F-4 Phantom II, F-104 Starfighter, FB-111A, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Hornet, B-1B Lancer, English Electric Canberra, Vickers Valiant
- Internal CarriageYes
- Low-Drag BodyYes
- Fin / Tail Typeribbon parachute (some variants)
▤Production2MOD.2
- Total Production2,000
- Variants2
⬢Warhead Detail1MOD.1
- Detonation Mechanism / Fuzeairburst, ground burst, free fall, contact, or laydown delivery
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1961Production started
- 1965Production ended
65
years in service
4
years in production
2,000
units produced
2
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
GENERAL PURPOSE (IRON) BOMBS RANKING General Purpose (Iron) Bombs · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
61GENERAL PURPOSE (IRON) BOMBS17EARLY COLD WAR · GENERAL PURPOSE (IRON) BOMBS1317UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS100PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE (IRON) BOMBS
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose (Iron) Bombscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
A streamlined design reducing air resistance to increase the speed or accuracy of a Gravity Bomb.
A stand-off capability refers to the ability of a weapon to be deployed at a distance from the target, typically to enhance aircraft or launch platform survivability.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources