B61 nuclear bomb passes critical test

The Pentagon has completed the third and final developmental flight test for the B61 Mod 12 aircraft-delivered thermonuclear bomb. Unlike previous American nuclear bombs, the new B61-12 is designed for high accuracy using inertial guidance but low yields—which is hoped will give the weapon better overall performance.

“This demonstration of effective end-to-end system performance under representative delivery conditions marks another 2015 achievement in the development of the B61-12 Life Extension Program,” said National Nuclear Security Administration deputy administrator Madelyn Creedon in a statement. “Completing this guided B61-12 flight test provides additional evidence of the nation’s continued commitment to our nation’s security and that of our allies and partners.”

All though the U.S. Air Force and the NNSA completed this last flight test on Oct. 20, 2015, at the Tonopah Test Range in Nevada, the Defense Department didn’t announce the successful completion of the trials until Nov. 16. During the test, a U.S. Air Force F-15E from Nellis AFB, Nevada—most likely the 53d Test and Evaluation Group—dropped the “B61-12 test asset and it demonstrated successful performance in a realistic guided flight environment.”

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