RDS-2

The RDS-2 (Russian: РДС-2) was the second atomic bomb developed by the Soviet Union as an improved version of the RDS-1. It included new explosive lenses along with a new core design to decrease the probability of pre-detonation or 'fizzle'.^[1] The RDS-2 weighed approximately 3,200 kilograms (7,055 lb) and had a diameter of 1.25 m.^[a][2] The RDS-2 was tested on September 24, 1951 and produced a 38.3 kiloton yield. It was detonated from the top of a tower thirty meters high. The detonation was initiated by a bomber flying over the testing site instead of the detonation being initiated by a ground control center.

See also

• Soviet atomic bomb project
• RDS-1
• RDS-3

Notes

1. RDS-2 and RDS-3 differed only in nuclear core, hence similar weight and diameter