OVERVIEW: The Type 524-23 is a high-yield, strategic gravity bomb developed by China using the thermonuclear warhead of the DF-3 intermediate-range ballistic missile.

DETAIL: The Type 524-23 was developed in the 1970s by the People's Republic of China as a strategic thermonuclear gravity bomb. It shares its warhead design with the DF-3 (Dong Feng-3) IRBM, making it one of China's most powerful nuclear air-dropped weapons. It represents a two-stage, uranium-boosted thermonuclear device, consistent with China's rapid post-1967 hydrogen bomb development.

Intended for use by heavy bombers such as the H-6 (Tu-16 derivative), the bomb was designed to deliver massive destruction against hardened or area targets. Its aerodynamic form was relatively conventional, but the internal physics package required substantial size and reinforced aircraft mounting. It was likely deployed with drag-retarders or delayed-fuse options for safe escape during high-altitude drops.

Though never used in combat, the Type 524-23 served as a deterrent within China’s strategic arsenal and likely remained in service through the 1980s, eventually replaced by more compact, MIRV-capable missile warheads.

NOTE:
IOC: ~1970s
Operators: China (People’s Liberation Army Air Force)
Platform: H-6
Conflicts: None (strategic deterrent role only)

SOURCE:
Federation of American Scientists (FAS) ; Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists ; Chinese Nuclear Forces, NRDC/Carnegie Endowment ; Jane’s Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense ; U.S. Department of Defense, Nuclear Posture Review https://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/china/nuke/index.html ; https://thebulletin.org ; https://carnegieendowment.org ; https://www.janes.com