T-4 Atomic Demolition Munition
Encyclopedia
The T4 Atomic Demolition Munitions
(ADM) were modified versions of the W9
nuclear artillery shells.
components and was in service until 1963, when it was replaced with W30
Tactical Atomic Demolition Munition
s and W45
Medium Atomic Demolition Munition
s.
The T4 and W9 are gun type uranium nuclear bombs (see Nuclear weapon design
for more details). Few details on the T4 variant have been officially released, but the W9 11 inch artillery shell was 11 inches (28 cm) in diameter, 54 inches (137 cm) long, and weighed either 803 or 850 pounds.
magazine by a former US Navy Underwater Demolition Team
member described the T4 ADM without naming it. The description was moderately detailed, including that the T4 was assembled out of a number of separate components:
These five components would be assembled by first transporting all five components to the target area, then loading the three uranium rings into the base assembly, then screwing the gun barrel assembly into the base. According to the article, two combination locks with different combinations were then activated by different team members, then the weapon could be armed and the timer set. Each component was reportedly heavy enough that it was a full load for one team member.
Reportedly, a major operational issue with planned usage of the T4 was that the success rate of parachuting five team members into hostile territory at sea with a heavy load and having them all land close together, uninjured, and able to complete transporting the weapon components and assembling it was highly unreliable. Several practice exercises failed to complete when one or more team members landed too far away or were injured. Future ADM units were single-component and while they might require several people's codes to arm, were a single physical unit which did not need field assembly.
Atomic demolition munitions
Atomic demolition munitions , colloquially known as nuclear land mines, are small nuclear explosive devices. ADMs were developed for both military and civilian purposes. As weapons, they were designed to be exploded in the forward battle area, in order to block or channel enemy forces. ...
(ADM) were modified versions of the W9
W9 (nuclear warhead)
The W9 was an American nuclear artillery shell fired from a special 11 inch howitzer. It was produced starting in 1952 and all were retired by 1957.-Description:...
nuclear artillery shells.
History
The T4 was produced in 1957 from recycled W9 fissileFissile
In nuclear engineering, a fissile material is one that is capable of sustaining a chain reaction of nuclear fission. By definition, fissile materials can sustain a chain reaction with neutrons of any energy. The predominant neutron energy may be typified by either slow neutrons or fast neutrons...
components and was in service until 1963, when it was replaced with W30
W30
The W30 was an American nuclear warhead used on the RIM-8 Talos surface to air missile and the Tactical Atomic Demolition Munition .The W30 was 22 inches in diameter and 48 inches long, weighing 438, 450, or 490 pounds depending on the version....
Tactical Atomic Demolition Munition
Tactical Atomic Demolition Munition
The Mk 30 Mod 1 Tactical Atomic Demolitions Munition was a portable atomic bomb, consisting of a Mk 30 warhead installed in a X-113 case. The X-113 was 26 inches in diameter and 70 inches long, and looked like corrugated culvert pipe. The whole system weighed 840 pounds...
s and W45
W45
The W45 was a multipurpose American nuclear warhead developed in the early 1960s, first built in 1962 and fielded in some applications until 1988. It had a diameter of 11.5 inches , a length of 27 inches and weighed 150 pounds . The yields of different W45 versions were 0.5, 1, 5, 8, 10, and 15...
Medium Atomic Demolition Munition
Medium Atomic Demolition Munition
Medium Atomic Demolition Munition was a tactical nuclear weapon developed by the United States during the Cold War. They were designed to be used as nuclear land mines and for other tactical purposes, with a relatively low explosive yield from a W45 warhead, between 1 and 15 kilotons. Each MADM...
s.
The T4 and W9 are gun type uranium nuclear bombs (see Nuclear weapon design
Nuclear weapon design
Nuclear weapon designs are physical, chemical, and engineering arrangements that cause the physics package of a nuclear weapon to detonate. There are three basic design types...
for more details). Few details on the T4 variant have been officially released, but the W9 11 inch artillery shell was 11 inches (28 cm) in diameter, 54 inches (137 cm) long, and weighed either 803 or 850 pounds.
Media coverage
An article in the mid-1990s in Soldier of FortuneSoldier of Fortune (magazine)
Soldier of Fortune , The Journal of Professional Adventurers, is a periodical monthly magazine devoted to world-wide reporting of wars, including conventional warfare, low-intensity warfare, counter insurgency, and counter-terrorism...
magazine by a former US Navy Underwater Demolition Team
Underwater Demolition Team
The Underwater Demolition Teams were an elite special-purpose force established by the United States Navy during World War II. They also served during the Korean War and the Vietnam War...
member described the T4 ADM without naming it. The description was moderately detailed, including that the T4 was assembled out of a number of separate components:
- A gun barrel assembly, with the fissionNuclear fissionIn nuclear physics and nuclear chemistry, nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts , often producing free neutrons and photons , and releasing a tremendous amount of energy...
bullet and propellantPropellantA propellant is a material that produces pressurized gas that:* can be directed through a nozzle, thereby producing thrust ;...
and detonatorDetonatorA detonator is a device used to trigger an explosive device. Detonators can be chemically, mechanically, or electrically initiated, the latter two being the most common....
preloaded - A base assembly, which the gun barrel screwed into, which was normally handled empty
- Three heavy HEU uranium rings, which were added to the base assembly and came in separate carrying cases
These five components would be assembled by first transporting all five components to the target area, then loading the three uranium rings into the base assembly, then screwing the gun barrel assembly into the base. According to the article, two combination locks with different combinations were then activated by different team members, then the weapon could be armed and the timer set. Each component was reportedly heavy enough that it was a full load for one team member.
Reportedly, a major operational issue with planned usage of the T4 was that the success rate of parachuting five team members into hostile territory at sea with a heavy load and having them all land close together, uninjured, and able to complete transporting the weapon components and assembling it was highly unreliable. Several practice exercises failed to complete when one or more team members landed too far away or were injured. Future ADM units were single-component and while they might require several people's codes to arm, were a single physical unit which did not need field assembly.