W88 vs W76
Nuclear weapon side-by-side comparison
W88
USA · 1988 · thermonuclear
475 kt
Modern SLBM warhead.
W76
USA · 1978 · thermonuclear
100 kt
Common SLBM warhead.
Verdict
The W88 is 4.8× more powerful than the W76 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 | W88 | W76 |
|---|---|---|
| Yield | 475 kt | 100 kt |
| Fireball radius | 1.71 km | 0.91 km |
| Severe blast (20 PSI) | 3.68 km | 2.20 km |
| Moderate blast (5 PSI) | 7.87 km | 4.71 km |
| Light blast (1 PSI) | 22.40 km | 13.39 km |
| 3rd-degree thermal burns | 8.39 km | 4.43 km |
| 2nd-degree thermal burns | 15.02 km | 7.93 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 W88 is 32× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. The W76 is 7× more powerful.
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FAQ
Is the W88 bigger than the W76?
Yes. The W88 (475 kt) is 4.8× more powerful than the W76 (100 kt).
What is the blast radius of the W88 compared to the W76?
For an air burst, the W88 produces a 5 PSI moderate-blast radius of 7.87 km, versus 4.71 km for the W76. Severe blast (20 PSI): 3.68 km vs 2.20 km. 3rd-degree thermal burns: 8.39 km vs 4.43 km.
How many people would die from a W88 compared to a W76?
Detonated over a typical dense city center (8,000 people/km²), the W88 would cause an estimated 942,692 immediate fatalities. The W76 would cause an estimated 337,095. Real numbers depend on time of day, sheltering, weather, and altitude of detonation.
How do the W88 and W76 compare to the Hiroshima bomb?
The W88 is 32× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb (Little Boy, 15 kt). The W76 is 7× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.