How does the United States deliver nuclear warheads?

Its not me Its u

No one answered your question, they just reiterated what you aleady knew. Besides the methods you mentioned, theres the sub launched trident missiles which are really just surface to air missiles. The space-launched i presume would be considered air to surface. How would you characterize the suitcase bombs?

Doc

OPNavInst 5510. F , "I'm sorry, but I can either confirm nor deny..."

S.D. Dales

The United States delivers Nuclear Warheads via Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBMs) and Intercontinential Balistic Missiles (ICBMs). The basic princinple is to send warheads into space and from there they fall onto targets. Much more than that I cannot say.

MTSN (SU) S.D. Dales, USN

Peter F

This is to my knowledge the complete list of Nuclear delivery systems which could be employed. * are still in active service. Many types are Cold War relics out of current use but could be reintroduced.

Air dropped- dumb bomb*
As above- but assigned to Netherlands and Germany* (Cold War; but all Europe based nukes have been re-assigned for Middle East delivery)
Air dropped- Air to surface missile*
Air dropped- Air to surface (bunker buster)*
Air launched Cruise missile*
Surface launched cruise missile
Surface to surface anti-ship missile
Anti Sub missile (SUBROC; Cold War)
Silo based Intercontinental Ballistic Missile*
Sub based Intercontinental Ballistic Missile*
Artillery Shell (Cold War)
Surface to Air missile (Cold War)
Surface to Atmosphere (EMP) missile (in development)
(XXL) 'Suitcase' (prototypes only; Cold War)
Crate or container (for 'Northwoods')

occluderx

ICBMs and nuclear submarines

like this one:
http://www.military-today.com/navy/ohio_class.htm

They have Mirv'ed missiles Multiple Impact Re-entry vehicle means drops more then one warhead, like four or five at a time out of one missle.

oldsalt6585

FEDEX...cause they get there faster.

geezerrex

The only way that we have delivered a nuke is just dropping the damned thing from an airplane.

Mangy Coyote

If the US were to need to deliver nuclear warheads, the most effective method of delivery would likely be via ICBM or SLBM. There are many websites that can surely expound on that. To Doc: OPNAVINST 5510.1F has long been superseded, and is no longer applicable, but thanks for remembering. You still have the "cannot confirm nor deny" part right though. And to S.D. Dales, good job-except the US does not deliver warheads; they would if need be, but they don't. Now, I see that you still have that (SU) designator. If you have time to be on Y!A, you have time to qualify. Get your fish and then come back - nonqual! Who's your sea-dad? LOL.

Orion

We have a number of methods...

Minuteman III ICBMs based in various places in the Western US.

SLBMs from the Ohio Class SSBNs carried on Trident D3 missiles.

warheads mounted on Tomahawk TLAM-N cruise missiles fired from warships, SSN, SSBN, or SSGN submarines.

There are also gravity dropped nuclear bombs delivered from aircraft such as the B-52, B-1B or the B-2.

There are also ALCM (Air Launched Cruise MIssiles) that can be loaded with nuclear warheads.

In the past we also had Atomic Artillery and even nuclear depth-charges and torpedos, but those have long since gone...

Orion

EDIT: PS -Jeez, this question is *infested* with bubbleheads. ;-)

Mary O

With a Punch.. I am not telling you

Tony NY

Yes, they've also got SLBMs, submarine-launched ballistic missiles. See my link below.

By the way, what you're referring to used to be called the "U.S. nuclear triad," our three methods of delivery: air-dropped, ICBMs (launched from silos), and the SLBMs (launched from submarines).

nswblue

we delivered them to their sites by tractor trailers and trains on our highways!@~

zuhair a

by registred post

Mr realistic...believer in truth

FED EX...or, UPS groundshipment. I think!
What can Brown do for you?

ARCHANGEL

there are nuke subs, there are tactical artillary nukes, and bush said he will be placing weapons platforms in space which means we already have it

Poh Suan N

One way may be using large artillery pieces such as the M110 203mm Field Artillery. In fact, any thing larger than 155mm could be used to deliver nukes to enermy terroity when it is when the Soviets are using it, Not sure if americans does.
Secondly, there are so many nuclear/conventional powered subs in the US Navy which could deliver Nuclear warhead missiles to the lands. If US Navy can bring the USS MISSOURL(Now at pearl harbour as a museum) alive, it's 16" guns can also deliver missiles too.
By the way, nukes are not really invincible. Soviet T-90 tanks and BMP-3IFV(Infantry fighting Vehicle) had nuclear, biological and chemical protection which could act as hiding points for troops to have protection for nukes.

Â°

I think they just bring them over by military ships to the highest payers.

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