[DmenshunlAnlsis]

The burn is potentially more efficient, but the bigger it is past a certain point, you’re just blasting that energy out of the atmosphere. I suppose burying or submerging a massive device would deliver more energy, but it would be supremely dirty in that case. Airbursts are the best way to attack drag-sensitive targets due to the formation of a Mach stem, and as a bonus they’re cleaner than water or ground bursts. If you really want to destroy a target use MIRVed warheads of lower yield, in the 70kt-1mt range, with overlapping shockwaves. As a “bonus” that technology already comes standard and doesn’t require new testing or exotic designs and delivery systems.