It entered Phase 2A technical definition and cost study in November 1986.
It entered Phase 3 development engineering and was assigned the numerical designation W89 in January 1988.
The design was canceled in September 1991 along with the SRAM II missile, prior to production of any units, though some test devices may have been manufactured.
It was described by Thomas P. D'Agostino, acting head of the National Nuclear Security Administration, as having been based on a design which was test fired in the 1980s, but never entered service.
The W89 was also reportedly designed using recycled pits from the earlier W68 nuclear weapon program, recoated in vanadium to provide the temperature resistance.