nuclear yields | Military Words for nuclear yields

nuclear yields

The energy released in the detonation of a nuclear weapon, measured in terms of the kilotons or megatons of trinitrotoluene required to produce the same energy release. Yields are categorized as follows: very low - less than 1 kiloton; low - 1 kiloton to 10 kilotons; medium - over 10 kilotons to 50 kilotons; high - over 50 kilotons to 500 kilotons; very high - over 500 kilotons. See also nominal weapon; subkiloton weapon.

Source: US DoD Joint Publication 1-02, DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms (as amended through 9 June 2004).