AN-22 bomb

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AN-22
Type Bomb
Place of origin France
Service history
In service 1967-1988
Production history
Number built 40
Specifications
Weight 700 kg

Blast yield 70-70 kilotons

The AN-22 was France's second air-dropped nuclear weapon.

The AN-22 was an advanced replacement for the earlier AN-11 bomb, entering service in 1967. It had a similar fission warhead with a yield of 60 to 70 kilotons, but improved safety features.

The AN-22 was improved in service with a substantially changed casing, lowering its weight from 1,400 kg (3,086 lb) to about 700 kg (1,543 lb). Yield was unchanged. The weapon was also equipped with a parachute retarder to enable it to be dropped at low level.

The AN-22 was carried by the Dassault Mirage IV. A stockpile of about 40 weapons was maintained, providing one for each of the 36 Mirage IVAs in service, plus several spares.

The last of these weapons was retired 1 July 1988 in favor of the ASMP stand-off weapon.

See also Force de frappe.

French nuclear armament
Strategic missiles

missile M1 | missile M2 | missile M3 | missile M4 | missile M45 | missile M51 | missile M5
Pre-strategic missiles
Pluton | Hadès | ASMP
Nuclear warheads
AN-11 bomb | AN-22 bomb | AN-52 bomb | MR 31 | MR 41 | MR 50 CTC | AN 51 CTC | AN 52 CTC | TN 60 | TN 61 | TN 70 | TN 71 | TN 80 | TN 81 | TN 90 |TN 75 | TNO
Related subjects
French nuclear deterrence | FOST