B53 / Mk.53 / W53
The Mk-53 "hydrogen" bomb, first produced in 1962 was designed to be carried internally by B-47, B-52, B-58, and B-70 aircraft. It was equipped with five parachutes; one 5-ft. pilot chute, one 16-ft. chute, and three 48-ft. chutes. If for some reason a free-falling delivery was required, the parachute "can" could have been blown out, thereby jettisoning all chutes. With a yield in the megaton range. Mk-53s had an air burst, contact burst, and "laydown" (delayed action detonation) capability. The Mk-6 re-entry vehicle installed on the Titan II ICBM contained a W53 warhead, basically the same as the Mk-53 bomb.
Air Force regulations prohibit air transport of nuclear weapons containing conventional high explosives (CHE), (i.e., B53, W62, W78) unless ground transport is not feasible. Air transport of CHE weapons requires approval by the Secretary of the Military Department or the Commander of the Unified or Specified Command or their designated representatives.
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