Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque in Bernalillo County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Mk53 Thermonuclear Weapon
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, August 23, 2021
1. Mk53 Thermonuclear Weapon Marker
The Mk53 thermonuclear weapon had an airburst, contact burst, and "laydown" (delayed action detonation) capability. The Mk53 was equipped with 5 parachutes; one 5 ft. pilot chute, one 16 ft. chute and three 48 ft. chutes. If free-fall delivery was required, the canister containing all of the parachutes could be jettisoned.
A "clip-in assembly" on top of the displayed Mk53 bomb was designed to hold the bomb in storage and attach quickly and safely to the bomb bay rack within the plane. An integrated mechanical and electrical lock-release system prevented an inadvertent release of the weapon. In order for the bomb to be dropped, two bands suspending the weapon had to be released by an explosive device.
Type: Strategic Yield · Megaton range · Carrier: B-36, B-52
Options: Airburst, Contact burst, Laydown · Length: 12 ft. 4.8 in.
Diameter: 4 ft. 2 in. · Weight: 8,000 lb. · Stockpiled: 1962-1987
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space.
Location. 35° 3.913′ N, 106° 32.118′ W. Marker is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Bernalillo County. It is in Kirtland Air Force Base. Marker is on Eubank Boulevard SE south of Southern Boulevard SE, on the right when traveling south. The marker is
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mk17 Thermonuclear Weapon (here, next to this marker); B-58 Hustler Pod (within shouting distance of this marker); Snark (within shouting distance of this marker); Mace (within shouting distance of this marker); Hound Dog (within shouting distance of this marker); Bomarc (within shouting distance of this marker); 280 mm Atomic Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); B-52B Stratofortress 52-0013 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albuquerque.
Also see . . . Mk/B53 Nuclear Bomb at Wikipedia. (Submitted on September 7, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.)
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, August 23, 2021
2. Mk53 Thermonuclear Weapon and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 160 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.
