nuclear weapons altitude

[Af1352pasha]

When I checked for B-1B weapons I found the release altitude for nuclear weapons is very low exactly 61m !!

Please advise me if i am wrong?

[Dimitris]

Yes, this is correct.

The nuclear bombs delivered at this altitude have a parachute for rapid deceleration, plus they have a delayed detonation fuze. So the aircraft (usually [:)]) has enough time to get away from the lethal blast zone.

SRAMs are missiles so after launch they just climb up and then come down and impact.

[Der Zeitgeist]

At least for nuclear bombs, the release altitude is correct, as these can be dropped in a parachute retarded laydown delivery, with delayed firing.
So the bomb impacts the ground on the parachute, and just sits there for a preset amount of time while the plane that dropped it gets out of blast range. After the delay is up, detonation occurs.

Looks quite impressive too, as this video shows:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3zihbXKyxQ

[Af1352pasha]

Thanks for reply.

Is that correct for B-61(340KT) bomb? my point was only about simple falling bombs?

[goodwoodrw]

My experience with testing nukes dropping at around 12000 metres, I have been zapped 50% of the time I have dropped one[:(]

[Der Zeitgeist]

ORIGINAL: papa_Hausser

Thanks for reply.

Is that correct for B-61(340KT) bomb? my point was only about simple falling bombs?

Nearly all modern nuclear gravity bombs can be parachute retarded. I don't think there even were "simple falling bombs" since at least the 70s.

ORIGINAL: BASB

Thanks for reply.

My experience with testing nukes dropping at around 12000 metres, I have been zapped 50% of the time I have dropped one

I think the delay between impact and detonation of the bomb is a little too short in the current database. That should be easy to adjust though.

[goodwoodrw]

I have reported this and Mike has logged it.