B83

The B83 is a United States air-delivered thermonuclear gravity bomb that forms part of the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile. It is designed for delivery by strategic and some tactical aircraft and is intended to provide a high-yield option within the broader arsenal.

Developed during the late Cold War era, the B83 employs a two-stage thermonuclear design and is configured for a variable yield, or dial-a-yield, operation. This flexibility allows technicians to adjust the explosive power for different mission requirements. The weapon is designed to be carried by heavy bombers such as the B-52 Stratofortress and the B-2 Spirit, and it incorporates modern safety, arming, and security features common to contemporary U.S. nuclear devices.

Operational history and status details are guarded, but the B83 is generally described as a long-term component of the United States’ strategic deterrent. It has undergone modernization and life-extension programs to maintain reliability, safety, and compatibility with current delivery platforms. Public information about exact yields, weights, and dimensions is limited, reflecting the sensitive nature of nuclear weapons design.

In the broader context of nuclear weapons, the B83 sits alongside other U.S. gravity bombs and warheads, serving as a high-yield option within a diversified arsenal. It continues to be discussed in assessments of post–Cold War arms inventories and modernization efforts.

See also: United States nuclear weapons, B61, B83 family, nuclear deterrence.