The W73 was a planned nuclear warhead for the AGM-53 Condor air to surface missile and designed by Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (now Los Alamos National Laboratory).[1] The W73 warhead was cancelled in 1970 in favor of a purely conventional warhead for Condor. Condor was approved for production in 1975 with a expected production run of 250 missiles, but was cancelled in early 1976 due to high cost.[2]
The weapon was reportedly derived from the B61 nuclear bomb and had a diameter of 17 inches (430 mm).[3]
Condor was to weigh 2,130 pounds (970 kg) at launch and carry a 286 kilograms (631 lb) warhead. It is unclear if the weight given is for the conventional or nuclear-armed version of the Condor.[2]
^Benedix Corp (14 April 1970). W73 IS THE NUCLEAR WARHEAD FOR THE AIRCRAFT LAUNCHED TACTICAL MISSILE, CONDOR ( AS81582 ) (Report). Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. The W73 is the Nuclear Warhead for the aircraft launched tactical missile, Condor. The first production unit is planned for delivery in mid 1973. The Bendix responsibilities include the warhead outer case, the arming, fuzing and firing components and the plastic parts in the nuclear package. Sandia Albuquerque and LASL expect to start design and development in July of 1970 and Bendix will receive orders for the first development parts shortly thereafter.
^ ab"AGM-53 Condor". 12 July 2017. Archived from the original on 19 April 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
^Sublette, Carey (12 June 2020). "Complete List of All U.S. Nuclear Weapons". Retrieved 29 August 2021. Condor ASM warhead; derived from Mk-61; cancelled in favor of a conventional HE warhead
