Through an announcement by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) of the U.S. Department of Energy, it was confirmed that the life extension and modernization program for the U.S. Air Force’s B61-12 thermonuclear bombs has been successfully completed. This is a significant milestone, as this class of ordnance is also deployed by NATO member nations’ combat aircraft, including the recent cases of the Netherlands and Germany.
Broadly speaking, the B61, along with its subsequent versions, is a thermonuclear gravity bomb in service with the United States Armed Forces. It serves as a deterrence tool that can be employed both tactically and strategically. The bomb is deployable from F-16 and F-15 fighters, stealth aircraft such as the F-22 and F-35, and strategic bombers like the B-1, B-52, and B-2, currently operational within the U.S. Air Force (USAF).
Regarding the F-35A, it was confirmed last year that the USAF’s fifth-generation fighters were certified for operation after undergoing various tests and evaluations in recent years. However, this certification has yet to be extended to the F-35B and F-35C variants used by the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy, respectively.
In parallel with certification efforts and considering the 50-year service history of the B61 thermonuclear bombs, as well as their versatility within the U.S. nuclear arsenal, a modernization and life extension program was launched in 2008.
Referred to as the Life Extension Program (LEP), it aimed to achieve several milestones over its duration. First, it sought to replace older variants of the B61 (B61-3, -4, -7, and -10), consolidating availability around the more modern B61-12 variant. Second, it aimed to extend the bomb’s service life and ensure its availability for the U.S. Armed Forces and NATO allies for the next 20 years.
On January 7, the NNSA announced the delivery of the final production unit of the B61-12 bombs that underwent the LEP, marking the program’s last milestone. Deliveries began in 2021.
“The completion of the final B61-12 is a testament to the successful collaboration we’ve had with our partners in the United States Air Force and the Department of Defense,” said Dr. Marvin Adams, Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs. “The momentum generated during the production and delivery of the B61-12 will continue with the delivery of the other six active weapons modernization programs, as well as additional programs that will be activated in the coming years. Achieving the LEP in fiscal year 2025 demonstrates our execution capability, not only to our partners and stakeholders in the Department of Defense and Congress but also to our adversaries and allies. This demonstration, in itself, is a contribution to deterrence and security.”
Looking ahead, with the completion of this program, the NNSA will focus its efforts on six other programs aimed at modernizing the United States’ nuclear arsenal. One mentioned in the January 7 statement is the start of production of the new and more advanced B61-13 variant, scheduled to begin during Fiscal Year 2026.
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