Davy Crockett

The M-388 Davy Crockett was a tactical nuclear warhead designed in the early 1960s for use as a deterrent or tactical defensive weapon in a future nuclear war in Europe. It was named for the hero who died defending the Alamo during the Texan War of Independence. Developed from the proof of concept xw-51/54 nuclear devices of the hardtack II tests, the mk-54 and its brother the w-54 (used on the falcon missile) became the lightest nuclear weapons fielded by the united states. It was produced from 1961-1962 and fielded until 1971. About 400 warheads were produced before the system was retired in favor of cruise missile and artillery based tactical systems.

The M-388 Davy Crockett tactical nuclear recoilless rifle consisted of an XM-388 projectile launched from either a 120-millimeter (XM-28) or 155-millimeter (XM-29) recoilless rifle (the 120 millimeter version is shown here). This weapon had a maximum range of 1.24 miles (120 millimeter) to 2.49 miles (155 millimeter). The XM-388 casing (including the warhead and fin assembly) weighed 76 pounds, was 30 inches long and measured 11 inches in diameter (at its widest point). It is important to note that while the yield of the weapon is relatively small (ranging from only 10 tons to 1000 tons of tnt in production versions, to give an idea of the explosive force involved, hiroshima's "little boy" produced a blast equivilant with 12,000 tons of tnt.) the force is enough to displace a good ammount of nuclear fallout, and light and heat effects far beyond conventional bombs.

Operation Snake Eater
During the Virtuous Mission, The Boss gave two experimental Davy Crockett shells (with a vastly higher yield than the real-life devices) and a launcher that she acquired from a US military base to Colonel Volgin as a gift when she defected to the Soviet Union. Volgin then used one to destroy OKB-754 under the DCI's command, triggering a national dilemma, and leading to Operation Snake Eater. The Boss later used the second shell to obliterate Groznyj Grad.

San Hieronymo Takeover
During the San Hieronymo Takeover, Cunningham had a soviet-made Davy Crockett, which he intended to use on the Soviet missile base once Gene launched Metal Gear RAXA. However, after being defeated in battle with Naked Snake, Cunningham decided to use the warhead to ensure that Snake died with him, even if it would ruin the Pentagon's plan of tarnishing the CIA's reputation. Before he could do so, an explosion resulting from his damaged flying platform sent the launcher and nuke flying out of his hands, where it landed harmlessly onto the cargo elevator, next to Snake. What happened to the weapon afterwards is never revealed.