What is the smallest nuclear weapon?

The smallest nuclear weapon known to the public was W54, 10.6 "x15.7" (27.3 x 40 cm) cylinder, which weighed only £ 51 (23 kg). The W54 was used in both crowds of Crockett Recoilless Rifle (nuclear mortar for ground units) and MK-54 SADM (special atomic demolition ammunition), hand-delivered nuclear time bomb for attacking enemy ports. The prototype for the W54, tested during the 1954 hardtack operation, was even smaller, at only 10.6 "x11.8" (27 x 30 cm), near what many nuclear scientists think he is theoretically the smallest nuclear weapon. Crocket's crowds had 10-20 tonnes-maintained low to be safe for those who fired it-to-Sadm had a variable yield between 10 tons and 1 kiloton. The critical amount of plutonium is about 10.5 kg (23 lb), 10.1 cm (4 inches) across. This is not enough to start a multiplicurate chain reaction, but produces enough radiation to be deadly if you held it.

To create a chain reaction, it requires an increase in plutonium, just a little-only 10% compared to the critical weight is sufficient to create a nuclear weapon with a yield of 10-20 tonnes, already in the range of Crockett head. 20% compared to critical weight provides a yield of 100 tons, while 35% compared to critical weight can reach 250 tonnes. The smallest nuclear weapons would have a return to this extent.

The public cannot confidently know what the smallest nuclear weapon is because it is probably classified. The Soviet Union worked on various nuclear weapons that remain quite secret, and the US also has, although in the latter case there is greater transparency. One former Soviet general, Alexander Lebed, declared the existence of the "Nukes" in the news interview in September 1997, setting outside the chain of speculation about whether the smallest nuclear weapon could fit into the trunk of 60 x 40 x 20 cm. The general consensus is that it would be a sufficient place to create a nuclear weapon, especially PRon a technologically sophisticated country. However, there are few concrete evidence.