OVERVIEW: A high-yield thermonuclear gravity bomb developed by the United States for strategic missions. The B83 was designed for deployment from high-speed bombers against hardened and deeply buried targets, with a maximum yield of 1.2 megatons.

DETAIL: The B83 was introduced in the early 1980s as a modern replacement for older high-yield bombs such as the B53. It utilized a two-stage thermonuclear design and incorporated advanced safety features, including insensitive high explosives and multiple redundant arming systems. The bomb was capable of being delivered at high or low altitudes with laydown, airburst, or free-fall delivery options. It was designed with a streamlined casing to ensure compatibility with high-speed delivery platforms.

The Mod 1 included enhanced protective casing for laydown delivery and upgrades to its radar altimeter for precise fuzing. It also included variable yield settings selectable before flight, allowing mission planners to adapt the weapon to different tactical or strategic roles. Additional improvements focused on updated electronic components and integration with modern avionics.

The B83 was intended to be deployed by strategic bombers such as the B-52 and B-2 in high-penetration or stand-off roles. Delivery techniques included high-altitude drops or low-level penetration using toss bombing. It was designed to target command bunkers, airfields, and other hardened or area targets in both strategic and counterforce operations.

SPECIFICATION:
Weight: ~2,400 lb (1,090 kg)
Length: ~144 in (3.66 m)
Diameter: ~18 in (457 mm)
Yield: Selectable, up to 1.2 megatons
Guidance: None (unguided)
Fuse: Contact, airburst, or laydown

PERFORMANCE:
Range: Aircraft-dependent (air-delivered)
Delivery Altitude: Low or high altitude
Deployment Modes: Free-fall, airburst, laydown
Accuracy: Ballistic or radar-fuzed (platform guided)

NOTE:
IOC: ~1983
Operators: United States
Platform: B-52H Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer, B-2A Spirit, F-111 Aardvark, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16C Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Hornet
Conflicts: Cold War (deployed, not used in combat)

SOURCE:
U.S. Department of Energy: https://www.energy.gov/
National Museum of the USAF: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/
Federation of American Scientists (FAS): https://fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/bomber/b83.htm
Nuclear Weapon Archive: https://nuclearweaponarchive.org/Usa/Weapons/B83.html