Weapons & delivery systems
Strategic Nuclear Weapon
A nuclear weapon designed for long-range strikes against an adversary's population centers, industrial base, or strategic infrastructure.
Strategic weapons are typically high-yield (100 kt to several megatons) and delivered by ICBMs, SLBMs, or strategic bombers. They are governed by treaties such as New START. The US triad consists of Minuteman ICBMs, Trident SLBMs, and B-2 / B-21 bombers carrying B61 / B83 gravity bombs.
Related terms
Tactical Nuclear Weapon
A nuclear weapon designed for battlefield use, typically with low yield (sub-kiloton to ~50 kilotons) and short range.
ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile)
A long-range ballistic missile (range > 5,500 km) designed to deliver nuclear warheads between continents.
SLBM (Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile)
A ballistic missile launched from a submerged submarine, providing a survivable second-strike nuclear capability.
Nuclear Triad
A three-pronged nuclear force structure consisting of land-based ICBMs, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and strategic bombers.