The US Deploys the Production of the B61 Nuclear Gravity Bomb

The US Department of Defense has announced that it continues developing a modern variant of the B61 nuclear gravity bomb, designated the B61-13, and is awaiting authorization and appropriations from Congress.

The US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) will pursue the B61-13. The deployment of such a bomb is a response to the rapidly evolving security environment outlined in the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review.

“The United States has a responsibility to continue to assess and deploy the forces and assets necessary to reliably deter and, if necessary, respond to strategic attacks and the confidence of our allies”, said Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Plumb. 

The B61-13 will be delivered by modern aircraft, providing capabilities to combat harder and large-area military targets. The B61-13 utilizes the existing manufacturing capabilities supporting the B61-12 and will have the advanced safety, security and precision features of the B61-12.

The B61-12 has been under development since 2012, and in 2018 the Nuclear Security Administration protected its design. The modernized bomb should replace the B61-3, B61-4 and B61-7 in the arsenal of American combat aircraft. The B61-12 bomb received a warhead with a capacity of 50 kilotons and was adjusted: it is equipped with controllable tail rudders, which will significantly increase accuracy and abandon the use of a braking parachute. The capabilities of the bomb make it easier for pilots: now, to effectively use the upgraded bomb, it is not necessary to fly exactly over the target.

According to the National Nuclear Security Administration