W88 Warhead for Trident D-5 Ballistic Missile


1. The "Primary": Two point, hollow-pit, fusion-boosted high explosive implosion.
2. The "Secondary": Spherical, all-fissile, fusion-boosted radiation implosion.
3. Radiation Case: Peanut-shaped, channels x-rays from primary to secondary.
4. Channel Filler: Plastic foam plasma generator.
5. Booster Gas Cannister: Periodic replacement as tritium gas decays.A. High Explosive Lens: Two lenses drive primary implosion
B. Plutonium-239 Pit: Beryllium-reflected hollow pit.
C. Tritium &amp; Deuterium: Booster gas, fusion makes neutron.
D. Lithium-6 Deuteride: Lithium becomes tritium, fusion makes neutrons.
E. Uranium-235 "Sparkplug": Starts tritium generation and fusion in the secondary.
F. Uranium-235 "Pusher": Heat shield, tamper, and fission fuel (fission by all neutrons).
G. Uranium-238 Case: Fission by fusion neutrons only.