Laydown delivery
1291409
181403532
2008-01-01T16:49:24Z
MichaelLierk
6100028
fixed link
'''Laydown delivery''' is a mode of deploying a free-fall [[nuclear weapon]] in which the bomb's fall is slowed by [[parachute]] so that it actually lands on the ground before [[detonation|detonating]]. Laydown delivery requires that the weapon's case be reinforced so that it can survive the impact, and generally involves a time-delay [[Fuse (electrical)|fuse]] for detonation. Laydown mode can be used to increase the effect of the weapon's blast on built-up targets such as [[submarine pen]]s, or to transmit a shockwave through the ground to attack deeply buried targets.
It has the additional advantage of allowing the carrier aircraft to fly very low – in order to avoid enemy defences – and still get away without being destroyed in the detonation. This is particularly important where high-yield nuclear weapons such as the [[B53 nuclear bomb]] are concerned.
==See also==
*[[Nuclear bunker buster]]
*[[B53 nuclear bomb]] - a 9 [[Megaton|MT]] nuclear weapon designed for laydown delivery
[[Category:nuclear weapons]]
[[Category:Airborne warfare tactics|Laydown delivery]]
[[Category:aerial warfare]]
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