Latest news with #B61
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
British fighter jets 'to carry nuclear bombs for first time' over Russia threat
British fighter jets could soon carry nuclear bombs for the first time in history as the threat from evil Vladimir Putin against the UK and the West continues to mount British fighter jets could soon carry nuclear bombs for the first time in history as the threat from Vladimir Putin mounts. The UK government is reportedly in talks to purchase jets with the ability to fire nuclear weapons, stepping up its deterrents against Russia and its increasing hostility. This weapons move could be the biggest progression in the UK's nuclear deterrents since the Cold War. The aircraft the government has allegedly set its eyes on are American-made fighter jets that are able to launch gravity bombs, which use up less power and energy than standard nukes and are more popular with the military. Defence Secretary John Healey and the head of the armed forces, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, are looking to grow the UK's military capability by purchasing these jets. Sir Keir Starmer has reportedly also thrown his support behind the idea. Talks with the Pentagon over purchasing these combat aircrafts are believed to have taken place, according to The Sunday Times. The government has not confirmed these talks but Healey said the UK had to adjust for the "new era of threat" posed to the country. He told The Sunday Times: "The world is definitely becoming more dangerous. Nuclear risks are rising. We face now, for the first time since the end of the Cold War, seriously increasing risks of state-on-state conflict." These combat jets could work with the B61, which is a nuclear air-dropped bomb used by the US. The slim and long bomb can slot under fighter jets and be dropped when needed, rather than launched like a missile. This potentially imminent nuclear military development comes after Russia issued a series of threats to the UK in recent weeks. Russia has reportedly put together a secret list of places on dictator Putin's "hit list", supposedly including several UK towns and cities. Secret documents revealed Russia's nuclear hit list has 32 targets across NATO, including a shipyard in Cumbria, a factory in Hull and a site near Edinburgh. Russia's main target was said to be the Royal Navy's nuclear submarine shipyard at Barrow-in-Furness. Another report suggested other potential locations on the list include Aldershot, Colchester, Portsmouth, Chatham, Tidworth and Salisbury. Putin has previously threatened the UK and other countries but has failed to follow through on any attacks, other than on Ukraine. Despite this, the threats and hostility from Moscow have continued to grow. One of Putin's mouthpieces recently said Russia should wipe the UK off the map in a chilling threat. Sergei Karaganov, one of the dictator's leading military experts, said Britain "won't exist" following a nuclear attack. Karaganov added: "We need to strengthen nuclear deterrence by any means."
New York Post
3 days ago
- New York Post
At least 4 MTA employees attacked by unhinged riders on NYC buses, trains: cops, sources
At least four MTA employees were hurt in recent attacks as unhinged riders raged at them with wrenches, fists and feet across the Big Apple, cops and sources said. In the first assault, a wrench-wielding maniac bashed a 71-year-old driver in the forehead on board a B61 bus at Lorraine and Hicks streets in Red Hook just after 8 a.m. May 13, authorities said. Investigators believe a female passenger had an issue with the driver and called in her sidekick, who boarded the bus and immediately attacked the operator, sources said. Then the pair — whose relationship is unknown — fled off the bus together, according to the sources. 4 A maniac bashed a Brooklyn MTA bus driver in the face with a wrench, cops said. NYPD The driver was taken to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. Police released surveillance footage of the suspect, who is described as having a dark complexion, standing about 5-foot-6 and believed to be in his early 40s. He was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt and tan pants. The violence continued on Thursday, when three MTA workers were attacked in less than 12 hours, according to cops and sources. 4 The brute may have been called on board by a female rider who had a problem with the operator, sources said. NYPD The earliest assault occurred minutes after midnight, when a 68-year-old MTA cleaner spotted a crazed man swinging a pipe at intercom kiosks inside the Bergen Street F and G train station in Boerum Hill, police sources said. When the cleaner tried to step in, the brute started swinging the pipe at him but missed — before punching him in the chest, cops and sources said. The assailant, seen wearing all black and carrying a backpack, then fled the scene. 4 A crazed man attacked an MTA cleaner who tried to stop him from swinging a pipe at a kiosk, cops and sources said. NYPD Video released by the NYPD shows him yelling as he aggressively points the pipe at the victim. The assailant is still on the loose. Then, around 5:30 p.m., a masked lunatic threw a cup of hot liquid on an on-duty 38-year-old MTA bus driver at Innis Street and Nicholas Avenue in the Port Richmond section of Staten Island, sources said. The driver was taken to Richmond University Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition. The still-at-large attacker was last seen wearing a black face mask and a beige hoodie. 4 The MTA cleaner was hospitalized in stable condition, cops said. DCPI About six hours later, a 53-year-old MTA conductor was clearing an M train at the Delancey-Essex Street station around 11:30 p.m. when she tried to rouse a sleeping passenger, the sources said. The subway snoozer became angry and kicked the conductor in the stomach before taking off, according to sources. The on-duty employee was taken to Bellevue Hospital with minor injuries. The attacker, who is still on the loose, is believed to be a Hispanic man in his 30s, standing about 6 feet tall and last seen wearing a black and white hoodie, the sources said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Brooklyn MTA bus driver, 71, attacked by wrench-wielding suspect; second bus attack in May
An outraged man struck a 71-year-old MTA bus operator in the head with a wrench as he stepped onto a bus rolling through Brooklyn, police said Friday — at least the second assault aboard an MTA bus this month. The NYPD released images of the suspect in the May 13 attack in hopes that someone could identify him. Cops believed the assailant was called onto the bus by a woman passenger already onboard who was arguing with the bus driver, a police source with knowledge of the case said. The MTA employee was driving his B61 bus past the corner of Lorraine and Hicks Sts. in Red Hook — and arguing with an unruly passenger — at about 8 a.m. when the unidentified suspect boarded the bus. The two immediately got into an argument, cops were told. After a few moments, the suspect pulled out a wrench and struck the bus driver on the forehead with it. He then jumped off the bus — with the woman who had argued with the bus driver — and both fled the area on a scooter, cops said. They were last seen zipping east on Lorraine St. EMS rushed the bus driver to New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where he was treated for a minor injury, cops said. Detectives recovered images of the assailant from a camera affixed to the front of he bus. The attack happened about three days after an unrelated attack on a Bronx Bx35 bus near 165 St. and Third Ave. in Morrisania when an unidentified commuter wearing a gray sweatshirt and blue jeans began yelling at a 31-year-old man on the bus, then hit his victim on the head with a pipe. The victim, who suffered a laceration, was transported by EMS to Lincoln Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. The assailant took off after the incident and remains on the loose. Early Thursday, an MTA subway cleaner was also attacked by a man with a pipe as he spruced up the Bergen St. station in Boerum Hill around 12:15 a.m., cops said. The suspect was swinging the pipe and smashed a station call box, cops said. When the cleaner confronted him, the suspect said, 'Why are you following me?' then swung the pipe at him twice, missing both times, cops said. The cleaner then grabbed the suspect and the two men began brawling, both falling to the platform before the suspect got up and ran off. EMS rushed the cleaner to NYU Langone Health-Cobble Hill, where he was treated for pains throughout his body and released. The man with the pipe, who was described as Black and wearing a black T-shirt and black clothing, remained at large Friday. It's not believed that the two MTA pipe attacks are connected. The man wanted for the May 13 attack is described as Black, about 5-foot-6 and in his early 40s. He was last seen wearing a black sweatshirt and tan pants. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Pantex completes first B61-13 nuclear bomb unit after B61-12 finale
Just four months after finalizing production on the B61-12, the Pantex Plant has completed the first production unit (FPU) of the B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced this week. The milestone, achieved in partnership with PanTeXas Deterrence LLC, marks the latest advance in the United States' nuclear modernization efforts. "In this geopolitical environment, the Nuclear Security Enterprise performs work that saves the world every day,' said Jason Armstrong, manager of the NNSA's Pantex Field Office. 'Through meticulous planning, strong partnerships, and exceptional execution, Pantex and the rest of the enterprise continue to fulfill our mission of protecting America and its allies to help ensure global security.' The B61 nuclear bomb has been in service since 1968. Over the past decade, it underwent an extensive Life Extension Program (LEP) to replace aging components and extend its service life by at least 20 years. That effort culminated in the B61-12, the largest weapons modification ever executed by the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE). Now, the B61-13 builds on that groundwork with updated features and streamlined production processes. 'The FPU is just the start,' said Kelly Beierschmitt, president and general manager of Pantex. 'With every unit comes progress and an enhanced ability for the NSE to deliver if or when the need arises. We do this work to protect our nation, our families, and our communities.' According to Pantex Program Manager Taylor Massey, the B61-13 was developed using a phased approach, allowing engineers to move quickly from design to testing and assembly by leveraging the established design of the B61-12. 'Modernization programs typically follow a detailed product realization process,' Massey said. 'We tailored our approach to accelerate readiness, developing procedures, tooling and testers that allowed us to produce an FPU within a year.' Six NNSA sites contributed to the development and production of the B61-13: Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Kansas City National Security Campus, Y-12 National Security Complex, Savannah River Site, and Pantex. The program reached full authorization in March and is scheduled to enter full-scale production this summer, with completion targeted for fiscal year 2027. 'There are over 200 parts involved in a single unit of the B61-13,' said Mickey Brown, B61 technical lead at Pantex. 'Almost all of those parts are produced by external partners within the NSE, then shipped to us for final assembly.' Massey added that the team's ability to meet aggressive timelines underscores Pantex's capacity for agility and performance. 'Following NNSA guidance to be more agile and flexible has shown we can meet designated production targets,' he said. 'That flexibility extends across everything from engineering and safety evaluations to the technicians on the floor meeting demanding schedules.' This achievement, Massey said, demonstrates that Pantex remains at the forefront of the nation's nuclear production efforts, driven by a skilled and collaborative workforce dedicated to national defense. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Pantex finishes first B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb, begins new production phase
Newsweek
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
What Is B61-13? US Unveils New Nuclear Gravity Bomb Ahead of Schedule
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. has completed the assembly of its new-generation B61-13 nuclear aerial bomb nearly a year ahead of schedule, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced. The B61-13 is the latest variant of the Cold War-era B61 gravity bomb, featuring a higher maximum yield than its predecessor, the B61-12. Proposed in 2023 during the Biden administration, the upgrade is part of the Pentagon's broader push to modernize the nation's aging nuclear arsenal. Why It Matters Secretary of Energy Chris Wright hailed the achievement, saying it signals to Washington's adversaries that the U.S. is ready to confront today's global challenges from a position of strength and security. What To Know The B61-13 is a tactical guided bomb designed to destroy hardened, deeply buried military targets. It is part of the B61 series, a key part of the existing U.S. stockpile, designed to be air-dropped and detonated at or near the target. The bomb can only be delivered by strategic bomber aircraft, with deployment planned from bases within the continental U.S, the DOE said. Assembly of the first unit of the B61-13 was completed almost a year ahead of target, and less than two years after the program was first announced, making it "one of the most rapidly developed and fielded weapons since the Cold War," the DOE said. The B61-13 incorporates the safety, security, and accuracy features of the B61-12 but with a higher yield "oriented to the defeat of certain harder and large-area military targets." "The B61-13 will provide the President with additional nuclear options against certain harder and large-area military targets; separately, the Department of Defense will coordinate with NNSA to complete and implement a comprehensive strategy for the defeat of hard and deeply buried targets," the DOE said. In 2023, the Pentagon said the weapon would "strengthen deterrence of adversaries and assurance of allies and partners by providing the President with additional options against certain harder and large-area military targets." The B61-13 would have an explosive yield comparable to the B61-7 variant, which has maximum yield of 360 kilotons—more than 22 times the explosive force of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima during Word War II. However, it still falls short of the nation's most powerful nuclear weapon, the 1.2-megaton B83, Newsweek previously reported. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said in a statement that modernizing America's nuclear stockpile "is essential to delivering President Trump's peace through strength agenda." "The remarkable speed of the B61-13's production is a testament to the ingenuity of our scientists and engineers and the urgency we face to fortify deterrence in a volatile new age," he added. What People Are Saying Representative Ronny Jackson, a Texas Republican, said on X (formerly Twitter): "It's a privilege to represent Amarillo, home to the Pantex Plant, in Congress. "Under President Trump, we're strengthening America's nuclear arsenal. I'm glad the B61-13 Life Extension Program is ahead of schedule—despite the Biden administration's attempt to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for Pantex! "Thanks to Energy Secretary Chris Wright for helping stamp the first production unit!" U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said on X: "It was my honor today to stamp the first completed B61-13 unit at the @PantexPlant! This achievement signals to our adversaries and allies alike that the U.S. is prepared to meet the challenges of today's environment from a position of strength and security." The DOE's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) said on X: "NNSA has completed the First Production Unit of the B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb @PantexPlant. This is a major accomplishment for stockpile modernization. Thanks to the entire NNSA team who worked to achieve this milestone nearly a year ahead of schedule." What Happens Next The DOE's NNSA is working on six other warhead modernization programs "to ensure the reliability and effectiveness of the nuclear stockpile."
