Data Quality84%
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
B53 nuclear bomb
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1962–1965
Quantity
340
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
GENERAL PURPOSE (IRON) BOMBS · EARLY COLD WAR
9
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
30
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 Typenuclear gravity bomb
- Service Entry Year1962
- Total Weight8,850 kg
- Length3.76 m
- Diameter1,270 mm
- In ServiceNo
◈Guidance5MOD.5
- GuidedNo
- Guidance Typelaydown fuzing
- GPS / INS GuidanceNo
- Laser GuidanceNo
- Imaging InfraredNo
▣Warhead & Effect5MOD.5
- Warhead Typethermonuclear
- Filler TypeFission: 100% oralloy ; Fusion: Lithium-6 deuteride
- Penetrator / Bunker-BusterYes
- Cluster MunitionNo
- Thermobaric / Fuel-AirNo
◇Delivery2MOD.2
◆Platform3MOD.3
- Compatible AircraftB-47 Stratojet, B-52 Stratofortress, B-58 Hustler
- Internal CarriageNo
- Low-Drag BodyNo
▤Production2MOD.2
- Total Production340
- Variants2
⬢Warhead Detail1MOD.1
- Detonation Mechanism / Fuzeexplosive lens (RDX/TNT)
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1962Production started
- 1965Production ended
64
years in service
3
years in production
340
units produced
1
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 ↗
30GENERAL PURPOSE (IRON) BOMBS9EARLY COLD WAR · GENERAL PURPOSE (IRON) BOMBS1015UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS107PERFORMANCE/PRICE · GENERAL PURPOSE (IRON) BOMBS
ⓘ Rankings are within theGeneral Purpose (Iron) Bombscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE2terms
A bomb designed to penetrate hardened targets, such as bunkers, before detonating.
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