The RDS-5 ( Russian: РДС-5) was a plutonium based Soviet atomic bomb, probably using a hollow core. [1] Two versions were made. The first version used 2 kg Pu-239 and was expected to yield 9.2 kilotons. The second version used only 0.8 kg Pu-239. [1] [2]
The two versions of the RDS-5 were tested during a series of 3 tests on September 3, 8 and 10 1953 in the Semipalatinsk test site. The test on September 3 (Joe 6. [3]) was probably of the 2 kg version and achieved a yield of 5.8 kilotons (compared to the expected 9.2 kiloton yield). The test on September 8 was probably of the 0.8 kg version and yielded 1.6 kilotons. [1] [2]
- ^ a b c "Interesting document about Soviet nuclear tests in 1953". Archived from the original on May 19, 2017.
- ^ a b "North Korea's Nuclear Capabilities: A Fresh Look" (PDF).
- ^ "Database of nuclear tests, USSR: part 1, 1949–1963".