Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque in Bernalillo County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Mk17 Thermonuclear Weapon

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, August 23, 2021

1. Mk17 Thermonuclear Weapon Marker

Inscription.

The Mark 17 was the largest nuclear bomb deployed by the United States. It was one of the first thermonuclear weapons stockpiled. When the bomb shape was test-dropped, the plane would soar upwards a couple hundred feet. The pilots said it was as if the bomb had released the plane.

The B-36 bomber, and the B-52, with modified bomb-bay doors, were the only planes capable of carrying the Mk17. The Mk 17 used a series of special parachutes to help improve its accuracy and to slow its descent. This allowed the delivery aircraft time to escape the effects of the blast.

Type: Strategic · Yield: Megaton range · Carrier:B-36, B-52
Options: Airburst · Length: 24.8 ft. · Diameter: 61.4 in. · Weight:
41,400 lb.. Stockpiled: 1953-1957

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space.

Location. 35° 3.916′ 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 just south of Southern Boulevard SE, on the right when traveling south. The marker is on the grounds of the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. A fee is necessary to access the marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Albuquerque NM 87123, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

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of this marker. Mk53 Thermonuclear Weapon (here, next to this marker); Snark (within shouting distance of this marker); B-58 Hustler Pod (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); B-52B Stratofortress 52-0013 (within shouting distance of this marker); 280 mm Atomic Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albuquerque.

Also see . . . Mark 17 Nuclear Bomb at Wikipedia. (Submitted on September 8, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.)

Mk 17 Thermonuclear Weapon and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, August 23, 2021

2. Mk 17 Thermonuclear Weapon and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 260 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.