B61 vs Davy Crockett
Nuclear weapon side-by-side comparison
B61
USA · 1968 · thermonuclear
340 kt
Variable yield tactical bomb.
Davy Crockett
USA · 1961 · pure fission
20 tons TNT
Smallest US nuclear weapon.
Verdict
The B61 is 17,000× more powerful than the Davy Crockett by yield. Both weapons are described in detail below, with side-by-side blast and thermal radii, casualty estimates at a reference urban density, and historical context.
Blast & thermal effects (air burst)
| Effect zone | B61 | Davy Crockett |
|---|---|---|
| Yield | 340 kt | 20 tons TNT |
| Fireball radius | 1.49 km | 0.03 km |
| Severe blast (20 PSI) | 3.30 km | 0.13 km |
| Moderate blast (5 PSI) | 7.05 km | 0.28 km |
| Light blast (1 PSI) | 20.06 km | 0.81 km |
| 3rd-degree thermal burns | 7.31 km | 0.13 km |
| 2nd-degree thermal burns | 13.09 km | 0.24 km |
Casualty estimate (dense urban target)
Estimated immediate fatalities if each weapon air-bursts over a city center with a population density of about 8,000 per km² (representative of dense urban cores like Manhattan or central Paris):
Real casualties depend strongly on time of day, sheltering, weather, and altitude of detonation. See the methodology page for the underlying formulas.
Hiroshima reference
The Hiroshima bomb (Little Boy) had a yield of approximately 15 kilotons. The B61 is 23× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. The Davy Crockett is 750.0× smaller.
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FAQ
Is the B61 bigger than the Davy Crockett?
Yes. The B61 (340 kt) is 17,000× more powerful than the Davy Crockett (20 tons TNT).
What is the blast radius of the B61 compared to the Davy Crockett?
For an air burst, the B61 produces a 5 PSI moderate-blast radius of 7.05 km, versus 0.28 km for the Davy Crockett. Severe blast (20 PSI): 3.30 km vs 0.13 km. 3rd-degree thermal burns: 7.31 km vs 0.13 km.
How many people would die from a B61 compared to a Davy Crockett?
Detonated over a typical dense city center (8,000 people/km²), the B61 would cause an estimated 756,010 immediate fatalities. The Davy Crockett would cause an estimated 1,220. Real numbers depend on time of day, sheltering, weather, and altitude of detonation.
How do the B61 and Davy Crockett compare to the Hiroshima bomb?
The B61 is 23× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb (Little Boy, 15 kt). The Davy Crockett is 750.0× smaller than the Hiroshima bomb.