Inside The Cold War

Cold War Nuclear Weapons

Types of Nuclear Weapons During the Cold War

United States:

1. B61 Bomb: A family of versatile air-dropped weapons that could be delivered by fighter jets or strategic bombers.
2. Minuteman ICBMs: Intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads over long distances.
3. Trident SLBMs: Submarine-launched ballistic missiles carried aboard Ohio-class submarines.
4. Tomahawk Cruise Missiles: Ground- or sea-launched cruise missiles with nuclear capabilities.

Soviet Union:

1. R-7 Semyorka: The USSR's first ICBM, which was also used to launch the first artificial satellite, Sputnik.
2. SS-18 Satan: A heavy ICBM with a large payload, capable of carrying multiple warheads.
3. SS-20 Saber: Intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
4. SS-N-20 Sturgeon SLBMs: Submarine-launched ballistic missiles carried aboard Typhoon-class submarines.

Britain:

1. Blue Danube: Britain's first operational atomic bomb.
2. Polaris SLBMs: Submarine-launched ballistic missiles carried aboard the Resolution-class submarines.
3. Yellow Sun: A thermonuclear bomb, which was the first British weapon to use a fusion secondary stage.

France:

1. Force de Frappe: France's strategic nuclear force which included land-based ballistic missiles, submarine-launched missiles, and bomber aircraft.
2. S2 Missiles: Intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
3. M45 SLBMs: Submarine-launched ballistic missiles carried aboard the Triomphant-class submarines.

Israel:

While Israel has never officially confirmed its nuclear arsenal, it's widely believed that they possess nuclear weapons.

1. Jericho Series: A family of intermediate to intercontinental range ballistic missiles.
2. Nuclear-capable aircraft: It's believed that Israel has modified American-supplied F-4 Phantom and A-4 Skyhawk aircraft to deliver nuclear weapons.

Others:

1. China:
   • Dongfeng Series: A series of ballistic missiles ranging from short to intercontinental range.
   • JL-1 SLBMs: Submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
2. India:
   • Smiling Buddha (1974): India's first successful nuclear test.
   • Prithvi and Agni Missiles: Short to intermediate-range ballistic missiles.
3. Pakistan:
   • Hatf Series: A series of ballistic missiles.
   • Chagai-I (1998): Pakistan's first successful nuclear tests.