W54 SADM
USA · 1961 · 1 kilotons · pure fission
Overview
Special Atomic Demolition Munition.
With a yield of 1 kilotons, the W54 SADM is 15.0× smaller than the Hiroshima bomb. As a pure fission weapon, it derives its energy from nuclear fission of uranium or plutonium.
W54 SADM Blast Effects
The table below shows the calculated radius of each effect zone for an air burst (optimal altitude, maximum blast spread) and a surface burst (ground level, with massive radioactive fallout). Formulas are scaling laws from The Effects of Nuclear Weapons (Glasstone & Dolan, 1977).
| Effect zone | Air burst | Surface burst |
|---|---|---|
| Fireball radius | 0.14 km | 0.12 km |
| Severe blast (20 PSI) | 0.48 km | 0.27 km |
| Moderate blast (5 PSI) | 1.03 km | 0.57 km |
| Light blast (1 PSI) | 2.93 km | 1.61 km |
| 3rd-degree thermal burns | 0.67 km | 0.40 km |
| 2nd-degree thermal burns | 1.20 km | 0.72 km |
| Lethal fallout zone | minimal | ~12.0 km |
All values are 1-D ground-distance estimates from the detonation point. Real-world effects depend on terrain, weather, and building construction.
Run the W54 SADM on a City
Use the interactive simulator to detonate the W54 SADM on any city worldwide. Click any location on the map to see the fireball, blast, and thermal radii overlaid on real geography with population-density-based casualty estimates.
🎯 Simulate W54 SADMRelated Weapons
FAQ
How big is the W54 SADM blast radius?
In an air burst, the W54 SADM produces a fireball roughly 0.14 km in radius and a 5 PSI moderate-blast zone of about 1.03 km — the area in which most residential buildings would collapse. The 1 PSI light-damage radius extends to roughly 2.93 km, where windows shatter.
What is the yield of the W54 SADM?
The W54 SADM has a yield of 1 kilotons of TNT equivalent. That is 15.0× smaller than the Hiroshima bomb.
Is the W54 SADM bigger than the Hiroshima bomb?
The Hiroshima bomb (Little Boy) had a yield of approximately 15 kilotons. The W54 SADM at 1 kilotons is 15.0× smaller than the Hiroshima bomb.
What thermal burn radius does the W54 SADM produce?
Thermal radiation from the W54 SADM can cause 3rd-degree burns out to roughly 0.67 km and 2nd-degree burns out to 1.20 km in an air burst. Surface bursts reduce these radii by approximately 40 percent due to ground absorption.