When was the first weapon-ready thermonuclear bomb tested?
The first full-scale test of a thermonuclear device (known as Mike Shot) was done by the United States in 1952; the concept has since been employed by most of the world's nuclear powers in the design of their weapons. The first test by the Soviet Union of a thermonuclear bomb -- known as "RDS-6s" or "Joe 4" was carried out on August 12, 1953. Although Joe-4 produced a significantly smaller yield than the Mike Shot, this weapon was ready for immediate use and could be delivered by a bomber.
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28 Comments
Trevor Williams
I always thought that the World’s 1st nuclear explosion occurred on the 16th of July 2945 roughly 210 miles south of Los Alamos New Mexico. The test, code named Trinity, was held at the Alamogordo Bombing Range.
Leslie Hayden
Douglas Lyon, the term thermonuclear bomb refers to a fusion weapon versus the "little boy" bomb used at Hiroshima which was a fission weapon. The more powerful fusion bombs were developed after WWII.
Char
Douglas Lyon, this is thermo nuclear not just nuclear..I misread it too
Char
Oops misread the question yet I wouldn't know that due to it as I wasn't born til November that year
Douglas Lyon
Okay I'm confused what was dropped on Hiroshima then which was prior to any of the choices given?
james parrillo
Bob Fowler, Greed, envy, and revenge are just a few of the sins that would cause a war. Each of us needs to pray, so we can live worthwhile lives and help others, instead of war with them. Thank you, Christine, James' wife
Ken Putnam
Your own reference says 1953
The 1952 test was a "device" not a "bomb"
Maggie Petite
Wasn't it Trinity in 1945?
Bob Fowler
Isn't it a dilemma. Fear that life on Earth could be wiped out so easily. On flip side it makes Nuclear powers think before they press the so called Button. Human conflict Men thinking 'Who has the biggest Weapon'? Sad!!
John W Shreve
DonRt, Thanks.
Mark G. Feeney
Thom Berg, the question asked about a thermonuclear bomb, essentially a fusion bomb. Trinity tested a fission bomb.
DonRt
Ivy Mike was basically a proof-of-concept experiment, as it used liquid deuterium as the fusion fuel and was very conservative in its design, which meant it was far too large to be a deliverable weapon.
DonRt
The RDS-6s wasn't a true two-stage thermonuclear weapon, it was really more of a large fusion-boosted fission design. The first true two-stage thermonuclear weapon was tested as Castle Bravo in 1954, and a variant was tested as Castle Romeo, which was subsequently fielded as the Mk-17.
brandonscott
patrhea, no it also applies in gernades, and thermonuclear warheads lol
Fred Zeb Fudpucker
Your answer is WRONG per your own write-up!
"The first test by the Soviet Union of a thermonuclear bomb -- known as "RDS-6s" or "Joe 4" was carried out on August 12, 1953. Although Joe-4 produced a significantly smaller yield than the Mike Shot, this weapon was ready for immediate use and could be delivered by a bomber."