U.S. accelerates the deployment of B61-12 nuclear bombs in Europe
27 October, 2022 B61-12 bomb prototype. Photo credits: US Air Force The United States decided to speed up the deployment of B61-12 nuclear bombs in Europe.
Politico reports this with reference to its own sources. The deployment of the upgraded thermonuclear gravity bombs was scheduled for the spring of next year, but now, they are due to arrive in December 2022. US officials shared this with NATO allies during a closed-door meeting in Brussels this month.
Such a move requires replacing outdated B61 nuclear bombs with a newer B61-12 version in various storage facilities in Europe for potential use by the U.S. and allied bomber and fighter jets.
A B61-12 bomb on an F-15E Strike Eagle.
2020. Photo credits: The Drive
Politico notes that this decision comes amid increasing tensions over Russia's threats to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine. It is noted that the modernization of the B61 nuclear bomb program has been openly discussed in the US budget documents and public statements for many years.
Pentagon officials state that this is necessary to ensure the modernization and safety of the aviation nuclear weapon arsenal. They are convinced: the current steps are not related to current events in Ukraine and were not artificially accelerated. B61 nuclear bombs have been in service with the United States since 1968.
Currently, the B61-3, B61-4, B61-7, and B61-11 modifications are being used. B61-3 and B61-4 belong to tactical ammunition, and they are used with F-15E and F-16C fighter jets. B61-7 and B61-11 bombs are considered strategic and are used with B-2 and B-52 bomber jets.
An F-15E dropping an inert B61-12 bomb during testing
The development of B61-12 has been ongoing since 2012. In 2018, the Department of Nuclear Safety and Security approved its project.
The upgraded bomb should replace the B61-3, B61-4, and B61-7 currently in service with American combat aircraft.
B61-12 during trials
The B61-12 bomb received a 50 kilotons warhead and became high precision: a controlled tail rudder is installed on it, which will significantly increase accuracy and abandon the use of a brake parachute.
B61-12 new tail section.
Photo credits: The Drive
The capabilities of the bomb facilitate the work of pilots: now, for the effective use of the modernized bomb, one does not need to fly exactly over the target.
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