In theory, these new "tactical" systems are better able to engage military targets. In practice, a 500-kiloton payload can also be used to blanket a wide area w

In theory, these new "tactical" systems are better able to engage military targets. In practice, a 500-kiloton payload can also be used to blanket a wide area with total destruction. Nagasaki was 21 kilotons, which means an average 500 kt MIRV warhead carries the energy equivalent of roughly two dozen individual Nagasaki sized detonations. They can easily be used on population centers. The word "tactical" is more like a rebranding of nuclear weapons.