Their yields are about the same as most land based ICBM warheads or bombs dropped by airplanes: from 100 kiloton to 300 kilotons. Yields in the megaton range as were common in the 1950s through 1970s have been shown to have few real military uses and more damage can be done using several bombs of less total yield at lower cost using warheads in the 100 kiloton to 300 kiloton range.
Deaths will depend on too many variables outside the characteristics of the warheads/bombs themselves, including the target, burst height, availability of shelters, emergency preparedness of the population, etc.
Since its free-fall nuclear weapons arsenal was decomissioned in 1998, the United Kingdom's only means of nuclear weapons delivery is via submarines and SLBMs.
Submarines typically launch a variety of missiles, including ballistic missiles (such as the Trident and Bulava) designed for long-range nuclear deterrence, and cruise missiles (like the Tomahawk) for precision strikes against land and sea targets. Some submarines are also equipped with anti-ship missiles to engage enemy vessels. These missiles are often launched from vertical launch systems or torpedo tubes, allowing for stealthy and flexible operational capabilities.
Submarines armed with nuclear ballistic missiles
Submarines armed with nuclear ballistic missiles
Submarines armed with nuclear ballistic missiles
Eisenhower believed in stockpiling nuclear weapons and building the planes, missiles, and submarines needed to deliver them.
As of end of 2010, the Russian Navy included 12 strategic submarines of four different types. The submarines can carry 160 sea-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) that can carry 576 nuclear warheads.
As of my last update in October 2023, Russia has approximately 11 operational nuclear-powered submarines. This number includes several classes, such as the Borei and Delta IV submarines, which are capable of carrying ballistic missiles. The exact number may vary due to ongoing developments and maintenance in the Russian Navy.
The main advantage to having nuclear powered submarines is that a nuclear powered submarine can, if designed wisely, stay submerged for months on end. The only limitation really is food and the crew's psychological state. This is extremely useful in nuclear deterrance considering that a nation can send out nuclear powered, nuclear weapon equipped submarines on patrol for use in case of a nuclear exchange. If an attacking nation destroys the missiles silos of it's target and it's nuclear armed bomber wings, the defending nation would still have the use of it's nuclear weapons onboard it's ballistic missile submarines.
Weapons launched (fired) from submarines include torpedoes, ballistic missiles, or cruise missiles. These are the primary weapons, and a few other options exist.
US, USSR, Red China, Great Britain, and France have bona-fide atomic subs, taht is submarines powered by Nuclear reactors. all of these powers also have atomic and in some cases conventional, ( Russia has some) submarines which are equipped with long range nuclear missiles- such as Polaris, Poseidon, Trident, which are properly Missile types rather than submarine types.
As of October 2023, the United States has 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). These submarines serve as a key component of the U.S. nuclear deterrent strategy, carrying Trident II (D5) ballistic missiles. The Ohio-class submarines are designed for stealth and long-duration missions, ensuring a continuous at-sea deterrent capability.