"And that payload requires a concentration of U235 of >20%, or 10 kilograms HEU for weapons use. Yes?"

No, that figure was for 85% U235


Now, low grade eneriched (SEU) has a concentration of 1-2% of U-235.

Actually, yellowcake is less than 1%, I believe.


To make up 10 Kg U-235 would seem, then, to require 1000 kg of yellow cake. One tonne.

ignoring all the other elements in yellowcake, that would be

.72% (0.0072) x 1000kg = 7.2 KG per 1 metric ton, or 3960 KG total for 550 metric tons. With NO loss in processing, and assuming 100% uranium ( a false assumption), that would be less than 80 bombs.

More likely ( given assumptions ) enough for 30-40 85% HE U235 bombs, and fewer at lower concentrations.


Hell he had hundreds of chemical weapon artillary shells and that was not considered to be a danger, according to you. Why worry over 30-40 Hiroshimas?