What did the W59 transmission come in?
The W59 is not a vehicle transmission. It refers to a U.S. thermonuclear warhead developed for submarine-launched missiles, not an automotive gearbox. This article lays out what the W59 was, how it fit into the Polaris program, and why it’s sometimes misunderstood as a civilian component.
What the W59 was and why it mattered
Origins and purpose
Public records describe the W59 as a U.S. thermonuclear warhead associated with the Navy’s Polaris missile program during the Cold War. It was designed to be carried by submarine-launched ballistic missiles and contributed to the United States’ sea-based deterrent strategy. Details about its inner workings and exact configurations remain highly classified, reflecting the sensitive nature of nuclear weapons technology.
Key facts about the W59 in historical context:
- Identified as a thermonuclear warhead linked to the U.S. Navy’s Polaris missile system, rather than any civilian or automotive technology.
- Public disclosures indicate it was deployed during the 1960s as part of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) development and deterrence efforts.
- As with many Cold War-era weapons designs, precise technical specifications (such as yield, tamper details, and exact configuration) are not fully public and remain subject to classification.
Concluding this section, the W59’s significance lies in its role within the Polaris SLBM program and the broader strategy of nuclear deterrence at sea, not in any on-road or consumer-use application.
Deployment and lifecycle
During its era, the W59 was associated with the Polaris family of missiles and the Navy’s strategic deterrence posture. As newer warhead designs were developed and deployed in later years, the W59 was phased out and replaced by subsequent designs. The public narrative emphasizes the transition from early Polaris warheads to more modern variants, underscoring shifts in technology, safety protocols, and strategic needs.
In short, the W59’s operational footprint was tied to submarines and missile systems, not to automobiles, aircraft, or civilian equipment.
Common misconceptions and clarifications
There is some confusion around the term W59 because “transmission” can imply a vehicle component. To clarify, W59 most prominently refers to a nuclear device rather than a gearbox or automotive part. If you encountered the term in a different context, it may be an internal code, a mislabel, or a reference to a different system altogether. Here are a few points to consider:
- There is no widely recognized automotive transmission officially designated “W59” in mainstream catalogs or manufacturer manuals.
- Historically, W59 is associated with the Polaris missile program rather than civilian vehicle engineering.
- If you’re looking at a specific catalog, museum label, or archival document, the context (manufacturer, era, or system) is essential to interpret the code correctly.
When encountering a code like W59, verifying the context—military history, the specific program, and the source—helps prevent confusion with civilian automotive parts.
Summary
The W59 is best understood as a Cold War-era U.S. thermonuclear warhead used with submarine-launched Polaris missiles, not a car or truck transmission. Its public significance lies in its role within a sea-based strategic deterrent, and much of its technical detail remains classified. If you were looking for information about an automotive component or another device that happens to share the same designation, please share more context (manufacturer, era, or equipment) so I can provide a precise answer.
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The 5.9L Cummins transmission options include several factory and aftermarket manual and automatic transmissions, such as the manual NV4500 (5-speed), NV5600 (6-speed), and G56 (6-speed), and the automatic 47RE (4-speed) and 48RE (4-speed). Upgraded and built versions of these transmissions are also widely available from aftermarket companies to handle higher horsepower and torque loads.
This video explains the different types of manual transmissions available for the 5.9L Cummins and their features: 54sHHKYouTube · Nov 26, 2023
Manual transmissions
- NV4500: A 5-speed manual transmission used in earlier 5.9L Cummins trucks (1994–2003). Aftermarket versions are available for heavier-duty applications, notes CPP Diesel.
- NV5600: A 6-speed manual transmission available from 1999–2005, often used behind higher-output engines.
- G56: A 6-speed manual transmission that phased in during the 2005 model year and was used through 2018. Upgraded heavy-duty cases are available for these models, says CPP Diesel.
Automatic transmissions
- 47RE: A 4-speed automatic transmission found in 1996–2002 models.
- 48RE: A 4-speed automatic transmission that replaced the 47RE for the 2003–2007 model years.
- Note: This is a very common platform for aftermarket upgrades to handle higher horsepower and torque. Options range from stage 1 rebuilds to competition-level units, states Tier One Transmissions and Randy's Transmissions.
- High-horsepower applications: For trucks over 100010001000 horsepower, a full manual valve body is often preferred for more control over shift points, as the factory computer can be overwhelmed.
Aftermarket and upgraded transmissions
- Numerous companies offer built and upgraded versions of factory transmissions, like the 48RE, 47RE, NV5600, and G56, to provide increased strength and reliability for heavier towing and higher performance applications.
- Upgrades can include stronger internal components, like billet flex plates and input shafts, as well as enhanced valve bodies.
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W59 WORKS WITH CHAIN DRIVE TRANFER CASESES WITH 26-SPLINES AND A TOP SHIFT ORIENTATION. IT IS APPROXIMATLEY 25.5″ long. ALL OUT REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS COME IN A CLEAN GLOSS BLACK CASE AND IS SEALED FRONT TO BACK WITH NEW GENIUNE TOYOTA SEALS AND FORM IN PLACE GASKET. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE A BELL HOUSING.
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