B83 vs W88
Nuclear weapon side-by-side comparison
B83
USA · 1983 · thermonuclear
1.2 Mt
Most powerful US weapon in active service.
W88
USA · 1988 · thermonuclear
475 kt
Modern SLBM warhead.
Verdict
The B83 is 2.5× more powerful than the W88 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 | B83 | W88 |
|---|---|---|
| Yield | 1.2 Mt | 475 kt |
| Fireball radius | 2.47 km | 1.71 km |
| Severe blast (20 PSI) | 5.00 km | 3.68 km |
| Moderate blast (5 PSI) | 10.69 km | 7.87 km |
| Light blast (1 PSI) | 30.41 km | 22.40 km |
| 3rd-degree thermal burns | 12.26 km | 8.39 km |
| 2nd-degree thermal burns | 21.96 km | 15.02 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 B83 is 80× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. The W88 is 32× more powerful.
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FAQ
Is the B83 bigger than the W88?
Yes. The B83 (1.2 Mt) is 2.5× more powerful than the W88 (475 kt).
What is the blast radius of the B83 compared to the W88?
For an air burst, the B83 produces a 5 PSI moderate-blast radius of 10.69 km, versus 7.87 km for the W88. Severe blast (20 PSI): 5.00 km vs 3.68 km. 3rd-degree thermal burns: 12.26 km vs 8.39 km.
How many people would die from a B83 compared to a W88?
Detonated over a typical dense city center (8,000 people/km²), the B83 would cause an estimated 1,737,845 immediate fatalities. The W88 would cause an estimated 942,692. Real numbers depend on time of day, sheltering, weather, and altitude of detonation.
How do the B83 and W88 compare to the Hiroshima bomb?
The B83 is 80× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb (Little Boy, 15 kt). The W88 is 32× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.