AN-52 bomb

Infobox Weapon
name=AN-52


caption=
origin=France
type=Nuclear bomb
is_explosive=yes
service=1972-1992
designer=
design_date=
manufacturer=
production_date=
number=80-100
variants=
weight=1,003 lbs (455 kg)
length=13 ft 9 in (4.2 m)
part_length=
diameter=
filling=
filling_weight=
detonation=
yield=Low:6-8 kilotons
High:25 kilotons

The AN-52 was a French tactical nuclear weapon carried by fighter bomber aircraft.

The weapon was first tested on 28 August 1972, and entered service in October of that year. Between 80 and 100 bombs were manufactured for use by French tactical aircraft.

The AN-52 was 4.2 m (13 ft 9 in) long and weighed 455 kg (1,003 lb). It shared the MR 50 CTC ("charge tactique commune" - common tactical warhead) warhead of the Pluton missile, with two yield options: a low-yield version with an explosive yield of 6 to 8 kilotons and a higher-yield version with a 25 kT yield. It was carried by Dassault Mirage IIIE, SEPECAT Jaguar A, and Dassault Super Étendard aircraft.

It was retired in 1992 in favour of the ASMP missile.

References

*Norris, Robert, Burrows, Andrew, Fieldhouse , Richard "Nuclear Weapons Databook, Volume V, British, French and Chinese Nuclear Weapons", San Francisco, Westview Press, 1994, ISBN 0-8133-1612-X