W80
USA · 1979 · 150 kilotons · thermonuclear (hydrogen bomb)
Overview
Cruise missile warhead.
With a yield of 150 kilotons, the W80 is 10× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. As a thermonuclear (hydrogen bomb) weapon, it derives its energy from a fission primary that ignites a much larger fusion secondary stage.
W80 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 | 1.08 km | 0.86 km |
| Severe blast (20 PSI) | 2.52 km | 1.39 km |
| Moderate blast (5 PSI) | 5.38 km | 2.96 km |
| Light blast (1 PSI) | 15.31 km | 8.42 km |
| 3rd-degree thermal burns | 5.23 km | 3.14 km |
| 2nd-degree thermal burns | 9.36 km | 5.62 km |
| Lethal fallout zone | minimal | ~89.0 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 W80 on a City
Use the interactive simulator to detonate the W80 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 W80Related Weapons
FAQ
How big is the W80 blast radius?
In an air burst, the W80 produces a fireball roughly 1.08 km in radius and a 5 PSI moderate-blast zone of about 5.38 km — the area in which most residential buildings would collapse. The 1 PSI light-damage radius extends to roughly 15.31 km, where windows shatter.
What is the yield of the W80?
The W80 has a yield of 150 kilotons of TNT equivalent. That is 10× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.
Is the W80 bigger than the Hiroshima bomb?
The Hiroshima bomb (Little Boy) had a yield of approximately 15 kilotons. The W80 at 150 kilotons is 10× more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb.
What thermal burn radius does the W80 produce?
Thermal radiation from the W80 can cause 3rd-degree burns out to roughly 5.23 km and 2nd-degree burns out to 9.36 km in an air burst. Surface bursts reduce these radii by approximately 40 percent due to ground absorption.