The French airborne nuclear warheads (TN81) is a thermonuclear warhead carried by the Air-Sol Moyenne Portée (ASMP) medium-range air-to-surface missile, a component of the Force de frappe French nuclear deterrent. The warhead was introduced in 1988. By 1991, 80 warheads had been produced.[1]
Deployment: 60 warheads carried by the ASMP equipping the 60 Mirage 2000 N with the French Air Force and 20 Super Etendard of Naval Aviation. The TN81 has a yield of 300 kilotons
It has been replaced by 54 TNA (Airborne nuclear warhead) thermonuclear warhead carried by the ASMPA equipping the Mirage 2000 N and Dassault Rafale.[2]
Specifications:
- thermonuclear weapon
- yield from 100 to 300 kiloton
- insensitive explosives
References
- ^ Norris, Robert S.; Arkin, William M.; Kristensen, Hans M.; Handler, Joshua (1 July 2001). "French Nuclear Forces, 2001". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
- ^ "Latest Vintage from Champagne: New Rafale jets now carrying new ASMP-A missiles and new TNA nuclear warheads!" (PDF). 1 July 2001. Retrieved 24 January 2016.