Nuclear Depth Bomb

Nuclear Depth Bomb

A Nuclear Depth Bomb (NDB) is the nuclear equivalent of the conventional depth charge and is used in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) for attacking submerged submarines. The United States Navy, Soviet Navy, and Royal Navy had nuclear depth bombs in their arsenals at one point.

Due to the use of a nuclear warhead of much greater explosive power than that of the conventional depth charge, the Nuclear Depth Bomb considerably increases the likelihood (to the point of near certainty) of the destruction of the attacked submarine.

Because of this much greater power some NDBs feature a variable yield, whereby the explosive energy of the device may be varied between a low setting for use in shallow or coastal waters, and a high yield for deep water open-sea use. This is intended to minimize damage to peripheral areas and shipping.

One reason for the Soviet Navy's development of exceptionally deep-diving submarines is that this represents the best technique for surviving a nearby nuclear explosion.

ee also

*WE.177
*Mk-101 Lulu NDB (Nuclear Depth Bomb)
*B57 nuclear bomb


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