Production of B61-12 Nuclear Bomb Completed

The Sandia National Laboratories and the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) have reached a major milestone in the U.S. nuclear deterrence program with the completion of the final production unit of the B61-12 nuclear gravity bomb in December 2024.

Despite the official completion of production, the B61-12 program will continue manufacturing spare components and carrying out program closeout activities at least through 2026.

The B61 nuclear bomb has been in service since 1968. As part of its life extension program, most older modifications of B61 were replaced, ensuring an extended service life of at least 20 years. The last B61-12 unit has now been fully integrated into the U.S. nuclear stockpile.

According to Scott Klenke, senior manager at Sandia responsible for U.S. nuclear stockpile sustainment, ongoing efforts will ensure smooth surveillance activities for B61-12. These activities include the random selection of units, disassembly at the Pantex Plant, and component testing at Sandia’s Weapons Evaluation Testing Laboratory.

According to Sandia National Laboratories