OVERVIEW: A U.S. air-dropped thermonuclear bomb developed during the early Cold War, the B43 was designed for high-yield strategic bombing missions. It was engineered for delivery by high-speed tactical and strategic aircraft, with yields reaching up to 1 megaton.

DETAIL: The B43 nuclear bomb was developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory and entered service in 1961. The "B" designation denotes Bomb, and the B43 employed a two-stage thermonuclear design capable of variable yields depending on the mod. It featured a streamlined aerodynamic shape suitable for high-speed delivery and could be configured for various release modes. The bomb had a length of approximately 12.5 feet and weighed around 2,060 pounds (935 kg), allowing compatibility with multiple aircraft types.

The B43 Mod.3 featured a maximum yield of approximately 1 megaton. It was designed for high-altitude delivery and included contact, airburst, or laydown fuzing options. The Mod.3 was also optimized for use with supersonic tactical fighters and bombers.

The B43 was deployed aboard platforms such as the B-47, B-52, A-4, F-4, and F-104, among others. It could be released in free-fall or retarded modes and was intended for tactical and strategic nuclear missions requiring rapid, high-speed penetration of hostile airspace.

SPECIFICATION:
Weight: ~2,060 lb (935 kg)
Length: ~4 m
Diameter: ~18 in (457 mm)
Yield: Variable, up to ~1 megaton
Guidance: None (unguided)
Fuse: Contact, airburst, or laydown options

PERFORMANCE:
Range: Aircraft-dependent (air-delivered)
Delivery Altitude: High to low altitude
Deployment Modes: Free-fall, retarded, or laydown
Accuracy: Ballistic (bomber released)

NOTE:
IOC: 1961
Operators: United States
Platform: B-47, B-52, A-4, F-4, F-104, F111, F15 and other nuclear-capable aircraft
Conflicts: Cold War (deployed, not used in combat)

SOURCE:
U.S. Department of Energy: https://www.energy.gov/
Los Alamos National Laboratory: https://www.lanl.gov/
National Museum of the USAF: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/
Federation of American Scientists (FAS): https://fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/bomber/b43.htm

