China tests MIRV technology

[SRG720]

OK because I'm just assuming a smaller yield 100 kt warhead aka w76 would be smaller and much lighter than a warhead like the w88 at 475kt. Also, I think the payload of the missile to the range of the missile is also an important factor. Ie the heavier the payload the lesser the maximum range.

[HoneyBadger]

OK because I'm just assuming a smaller yield 100 kt warhead aka w76 would be smaller and much lighter than a warhead like the w88 at 475kt. Also, I think the payload of the missile to the range of the missile is also an important factor. Ie the heavier the payload the lesser the maximum range.

Absolutely true. See below for the "official" numbers.

From Wikipedia:

• Purpose: Seaborne Nuclear Deterrence^[1]
• Unit Cost: US$ 37.3 million
• Range: With full load 7,840 kilometres (4,230 nmi);
  with reduced load approx. 7,000 mi (11,300 km) (exact is classified)^[6]
• Maximum speed: Approximately 18,030 mph (29,020 km/h) (Mach 24)^[1](terminal phase)
• Guidance system: Inertial, with Star-sighting.
• CEP: Requirement: 90–120 metres (300–390 ft).^[4] (Information from flight tests is classified.)
• Warhead (in USA usage only): The Mark 5 MIRV can carry up to 14 W88 (475 kt) warheads, while the Mark 4 MIRV can also carry 14 W76 (100 kt) warheads.^[17][18] START I reduced this to eight. New START provides for further reductions in deployed launch vehicles, limiting the number of Submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) to 288, and the number of deployed SLBM warheads to a total of 1,152. In 2014, another START Treaty will reduce the number of deployed SLBMs to 240.^[19]

We currently have 14 Subs that carry Trident IIs... and they could be hiding in anyone's backyard. That is the just pure terrifying awesomeness.

[Aloha_Shooter]

OK because I'm just assuming a smaller yield 100 kt warhead aka w76 would be smaller and much lighter than a warhead like the w88 at 475kt. Also, I think the payload of the missile to the range of the missile is also an important factor. Ie the heavier the payload the lesser the maximum range.

Yep, it's all in the Ideal Rocket Equation:



Since you're holding the rocket type itself constant, the actual total thrust is constant. The final vertical velocity will therefore be roughly proportional with the mass differential between warheads so the rocket's range will also be affected by the increase or reduction in payload mass. The exact effect on the max range will also be affected by any additional engineering done to accommodate the change in warheads that increases or decreases the total mass of the payload complex.

[TFOGGER]

In Other News, China has posted the following High Resolution video of the test:

[SRG720]

How much does a w88 warhead weigh? Esp considering the total throw weight of the missile

[HoneyBadger]

How much does a w88 warhead weigh? Esp considering the total throw weight of the missile

If you click on "W88" above (it's linked) it I'll take you to the page on Wikipedia. You can probably find the weight there.

[Joe_K]

How much does a w88 warhead weigh? Esp considering the total throw weight of the missile

Not enough.

[HoneyBadger]

I still have bad dreams about the IRE... Lol way too much time working that out by hand in school.

[Aloha_Shooter]

They let you use your hands?

[fly boy]

CAUTION TO ALL WHO ARE POSTING!!!!!


if you collect enough random ass information and pool it into 1 place, it potentially can become CLASSIFIED.