W80 vs B61
Nuclear weapon side-by-side comparison
W80
USA · 1979 · thermonuclear
150 kt
Cruise missile warhead.
B61
USA · 1968 · thermonuclear
340 kt
Variable yield tactical bomb.
Verdict
The B61 is 2.3× more powerful than the W80 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 | W80 | B61 |
|---|---|---|
| Yield | 150 kt | 340 kt |
| Fireball radius | 1.08 km | 1.49 km |
| Severe blast (20 PSI) | 2.52 km | 3.30 km |
| Moderate blast (5 PSI) | 5.38 km | 7.05 km |
| Light blast (1 PSI) | 15.31 km | 20.06 km |
| 3rd-degree thermal burns | 5.23 km | 7.31 km |
| 2nd-degree thermal burns | 9.36 km | 13.09 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 W80 is 10× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. The B61 is 23× more powerful.
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FAQ
Is the W80 bigger than the B61?
No. The B61 (340 kt) is 2.3× more powerful than the W80 (150 kt).
What is the blast radius of the W80 compared to the B61?
For an air burst, the W80 produces a 5 PSI moderate-blast radius of 5.38 km, versus 7.05 km for the B61. Severe blast (20 PSI): 2.52 km vs 3.30 km. 3rd-degree thermal burns: 5.23 km vs 7.31 km.
How many people would die from a W80 compared to a B61?
Detonated over a typical dense city center (8,000 people/km²), the W80 would cause an estimated 440,527 immediate fatalities. The B61 would cause an estimated 756,010. Real numbers depend on time of day, sheltering, weather, and altitude of detonation.
How do the W80 and B61 compare to the Hiroshima bomb?
The W80 is 10× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb (Little Boy, 15 kt). The B61 is 23× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.