B77 nuclear bomb
Encyclopedia
The B77 was a nuclear bomb designed to match the delivery capabilities of the B-1A bomber
. This included the ability to be dropped from supersonic speeds at altitudes of 60,000 feet, or in a laydown delivery at high subsonic speeds at altitudes as low as 100 feet. Meant to replace the Mk 28
and Mk 43
in the strategic role, the program was cancelled in December 1977 due to rising costs and the cancellation of the bomber it had been designed to serve. Many components of the B77 were incorporated in the B83
which was developed in its place.
The specifications for the B77 required Full Fusing Options (FUFO) and the ability for a low altitude, transonic laydown delivery, as well as a free fall from supersonic speeds and altitudes of 60,000 feet delivery. To achieve the low-level delivery capability, the B77 employed a gas generator
for roll control and a lifting parachute as the initial part of a two stage parachute system. This combination would actually lift the bomb from a drop altitude of 100 feet to 300 feet for main parachute opening. The roll control/parachute system was tested at Mach 2.2. From a delivery altitude of 100 feet at mach 2.2, the B77 could be slowed to 40 mph allowing the delivery aircraft to be 2.3 miles past ground zero. Actual detonation time could be varied after the laydown had occurred.
B-1 Lancer
The Rockwell B-1 LancerThe name "Lancer" is only applied to the B-1B version, after the program was revived. is a four-engine variable-sweep wing strategic bomber used by the United States Air Force...
. This included the ability to be dropped from supersonic speeds at altitudes of 60,000 feet, or in a laydown delivery at high subsonic speeds at altitudes as low as 100 feet. Meant to replace the Mk 28
B28 nuclear bomb
The B28, originally Mark 28, was a thermonuclear bomb carried by U.S. tactical fighter bombers and bomber aircraft. From 1962 to 1972 under the NATO nuclear weapons sharing program, American B28s also equipped six Europe-based Canadian CF-104 squadrons known as the RCAF Nuclear Strike Force...
and Mk 43
B43 nuclear bomb
The B43 was a United States air-dropped variable yield nuclear weapon used by a wide variety of fighter bomber and bomber aircraft.The B43 was developed from 1956 by Los Alamos National Laboratory, entering production in 1959. It entered service in April 1961. Total production was 2,000 weapons,...
in the strategic role, the program was cancelled in December 1977 due to rising costs and the cancellation of the bomber it had been designed to serve. Many components of the B77 were incorporated in the B83
B83 nuclear bomb
The B83 nuclear weapon is a variable yield gravity bomb developed by the United States in the late 1970s, entering service in 1983. With a maximum yield of 1.2 megatons, it is currently the most powerful atomic weapon in the US arsenal...
which was developed in its place.
The specifications for the B77 required Full Fusing Options (FUFO) and the ability for a low altitude, transonic laydown delivery, as well as a free fall from supersonic speeds and altitudes of 60,000 feet delivery. To achieve the low-level delivery capability, the B77 employed a gas generator
Gas generator
A gas generator usually refers to a device, often similar to a solid rocket or a liquid rocket that burns to produce large volumes of relatively cool gas, instead of maximizing the temperature and specific impulse. The low temperature allows the gas to be put to use more easily in many...
for roll control and a lifting parachute as the initial part of a two stage parachute system. This combination would actually lift the bomb from a drop altitude of 100 feet to 300 feet for main parachute opening. The roll control/parachute system was tested at Mach 2.2. From a delivery altitude of 100 feet at mach 2.2, the B77 could be slowed to 40 mph allowing the delivery aircraft to be 2.3 miles past ground zero. Actual detonation time could be varied after the laydown had occurred.