Long-range sub-launched low-yield warhead in development

[Mr Quatro]

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2018/06/...tcmp=obnetwork

"There are currently over 1,000 nuclear warheads in the US arsenal that have low-yield options. A yield is considered low if it’s 20 kilotons or less," an essay from the Federation of American Scientists states.

I thought most Trident II D5 already carried up to ten (10) warheads that were already low yield each of round 5-6 kt's. Maybe that's what this quote means.

The existing Trident II D5 has a massive 100-kiloton yield, bringing massive destructive power to large swaths of territories – entire cities and well beyond.

[mapuc]

"– entire cities and well beyond"

I thought USA's doctrine when it came to use of nuclear was:

Military installation or complex

Industriel installation or complex

and then last civilian targets.

Of course most of these industriel complex are placed in civilian areas and therefor it can't rule out civilian getting killed directly and after(fallout etc.)

Markus

[Mr Quatro]

Originally Posted by mapuc

"– entire cities and well beyond"

I thought USA's doctrine when it came to use of nuclear was:

Military installation or complex

Industriel installation or complex

and then last civilian targets.

Of course most of these industriel complex are placed in civilian areas and therefor it can't rule out civilian getting killed directly and after(fallout etc.)

Markus

Yes, I also thought this too Markus ... I wonder who decides the targets ... all the POTUS does is give the order to launch missiles not where they go.

[Skybird]

Wars always are going for economical means of th enemy. Also, how to differ b etween priority targets near to or within cities,a dn the cities surroundign them? You can aim accordingly when throwing a dart. With a detonator having a destruction radius of several kilometers, you cannot.

[ikalugin]

Typically a trident SLBM carries either 8 100kt weapons or 8 455kt weapons. The whole idea of low yield trident does not make military sense and is driven by mistaken NPR.