A
tactical nuclear weapon (or
TNW) also known as
non-strategic nuclear weapon refers to a
nuclear weapon which is designed to be used on a battlefield in military situations. This is opposed to
strategic nuclear weapons which are designed to be used against enemy cities, factories, and other larger-area targets to damage the enemy's ability to wage war. Tactical nuclear weapons were a large part of the peak
nuclear weapons stockpile levels during the
Cold War.