The W-62 is the warhead used with the Mk 12 reentry vehicle which arms a portion of the Minuteman III ICBM force. Designed for use on MIRV (multiple independently targeted reentry vehicle) bus upper stage.
Yield | 170 Kilotons |
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Weight | Warhead/RV: 700-800 lb; Warhead: 253 lb |
Length | RV Body: 72 in; Warhead: 39.3 in |
Diameter | RV Body: 21 in; Warhead: 19.7 in |
Number In Service | 610 |
Two stage radiation implosion weapon.
RV CEP (circle error probability) is 900 feet
Known to be vulnerable to "hot" (high energy thermal) X-rays like those produced by thermonuclear ABM warheads.
Contains plutonium as primary fissile material
Fissile core is beryllium reflected
Deuterium-tritium boosted
Probably contains lithium-6 (95% enrichment) deuteride fusion fuel
Minuteman III ICBM. Each missile carries up to three W-62s, and is based in a hardened underground silo.
Designed and developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
June 1964 | Development engineering begun at LLNL |
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March 1967 | Production engineering begun |
March 1970 | Quantity production begun |
June 1976 | Quantity production ends |
April 1980 | Retirement of early mods begun |
Initial manufacture March 1970
Initial deployment 1970 (first squadron of Minuteman III missiles went operational on 29 December). Between December 1979 and February 1983 900 W-62s were replaced by W-78/Mk-12As. Retirement of early mods began in April 1980, presumably the retirement consisted of W-62s that had been replaced by W-78s. Some of the remaining W-62s have been modified in program called Alt 903.
1725 W-62 warheads have been manufactured.
Currently in service: 610 warheads (the rest have been permanently retired)
Originally slated for retirement and dismantling under START II. 1995 Nuclear Policy Review reversed this and the W-62 is now destined for permanent retention in the enduring stockpile either in the ready "hedge" stockpile, or in the reactivatable "inactive " stockpile.