Latest news with #B61-12
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."
Asia Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Asia Times
New US nuke won't fix its China deterrence problem
Designed to destroy bunkers but dogged by doubts, the US B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb enters a strategic storm of China's silo surge, fragile US basing and rising allied skepticism over deterrence in Asia. This month, The War Zone reported that the US has completed its first production unit of the B61-13, a more powerful nuclear bomb variant designed to replace the B61-7 ahead of schedule, according to the Department of Energy (DOE). The B61-13, based on the B61-12, features advanced safety and guidance systems and a higher yield of 340-360 kilotons, making it effective against hardened underground targets. Production was expedited using streamlined engineering and existing B61 design data. The Pantex Plant in Texas completed the first unit almost a year ahead of schedule, underscoring the urgency of modernizing the US nuclear deterrent amid increasing global threats. DOE Secretary Chris Wright emphasized the bomb's role in enhancing US strategic capabilities under the Trump Administration's 'peace through strength' doctrine. Unlike the B61-12, which is available to NATO allies, the B61-13 is reserved exclusively for US bombers like the B-2 and B-21. This aligns with rising concerns over China and Russia's growing underground military infrastructure, prompting increased deterrence investments. While the B61-13 improves targeting capabilities, it does not replace the deeply penetrating B61-11 variant, leaving specific hardened threats beyond immediate reach. The B61-13's rollout underscores a sharpened US response to China's expanding and hardening missile silo network. However, its strategic impact may be undercut by the bomb's delivery limitations, fragile regional basing posture and growing allied skepticism toward extended deterrence without visible forward deployments. However, even as China hardens its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) infrastructure, the key question remains: Can US delivery systems like the B61-13 actually threaten them under real-world conditions? Hans Kristensen and others note in a March 2025 article for the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists that China's missile silos at Yumen, Hami and Yulin mark a significant expansion of its nuclear arsenal, featuring around 320 ICBM silos built in remote areas out of reach of US cruise missiles. Kristensen and others add that the silos—likely for DF-31A ICBMs—are laid out in a triangular grid and linked to underground control centers by buried cables. They point out that satellite imagery reveals that each field has numerous support facilities and security infrastructure, suggesting improved survivability and a shift towards a launch-on-warning posture. As to the hardened features of China's silo fields, Ryan Snyder mentions in a December 2024 article in the peer-reviewed Science & Global Security journal that these silos are assessed to have structural features comparable to Russian designs, with diameters around 6 meters, suggesting hardened protection for large ICBMs like the DF-5. Snyder says that while exact values remain classified, available evidence suggests their peak hardness ranges from 1,500 pounds per square inch (PSI), which is on par with Russia's most fortified silos, to as low as 450 PSI for potential legacy sites. He says these incorporate standard hardening techniques, including shock isolation systems and rattlespace buffers to protect missiles from destructive ground motion. Highlighting the capability of the B-21 to hit such targets, Mark Gunzinger mentions in a March 2023 Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies report that the bomber is designed to penetrate deep into China's mainland to strike high-value targets critical to nuclear deterrence and conventional warfighting. Gunzinger says such targets include mobile ballistic missile launchers, command centers, anti-satellite weapon sites and deeply buried facilities beyond the reach of current US standoff munitions. He emphasizes that the bomber's stealth, range and payload enable it to operate within China's dense air defense network, ensuring the US can credibly threaten targets across China's vast interior. He argues this capability is vital to deterring nuclear coercion and escalation by presenting China with the risk that its strategic assets could be destroyed in a crisis or conflict. However, Greg Weaver points out in an April 2025 Atlantic Council report that gravity bombs such as the B61-13 must be released in close proximity to the target, with that lack of standoff capability reducing the survivability of the launch aircraft. In terms of nuclear forward basing, Josh Chang mentions in a January 2025 Real Clear Defense article that the US nuclear posture in the Indo-Pacific is practically non-existent, with its current nuclear theater portfolio in the region built around dual-capable fighter aircraft (DCA) and bombers based in the US mainland, which is insufficient to deter current threats. Chang notes that the air leg of the US nuclear triad has not been on continuous alert for three decades, minimizing its preparedness for a potential nuclear crisis. He adds that adversary air defense systems and long transit times from the US mainland to the Indo-Pacific strain the situation. But even if the US considers forward-deploying B-21 bombers in the Indo-Pacific, Thomas Shugart III and Timothy Walton mention in a January 2025 Hudson Institute report that People's Liberation Army (PLA) missiles, often equipped with submunitions, could neutralize major US air bases like Iwakuni, Diego Garcia or even Langley with as few as 10 missiles. Shugart and Walton point out that China has invested heavily in hardening over 3,000 aircraft shelters, while the US has largely neglected such defenses, leaving ramp-stationed aircraft, fuel depots and maintenance systems exposed. They note this vulnerability invites Chinese preemptive strikes and undermines US power projection, unless hardened shelters and resilient infrastructure are urgently fielded. These vulnerabilities suggest that even deploying advanced bombers won't matter unless US bases can survive a Chinese first strike. Without upgraded forward basing options, US nuclear upgrades would be largely moot in terms of assuring extended deterrence, argues Peter Lee and Kang Chungku in a February 2024 Asan Institute article. Citing the case of South Korea, Lee and Kang say that despite enhanced US commitments under the 2023 Washington Declaration, South Korean public confidence in US extended nuclear deterrence has declined, reflecting a broader skepticism among US Indo-Pacific allies. According to them, this skepticism stems from the absence of concrete measures such as the forward deployment of tactical nuclear weapons, assets still stationed in Europe but long withdrawn from Asia. Further, Zuzanna Gwadera mentions in a March 2025 article for the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) that the reliability of US extended deterrence in the Indo-Pacific is increasingly questioned as allies like Japan and South Korea weigh the likely effectiveness of the US nuclear umbrella amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. Ultimately, extended deterrence is as much about perception and posture as it is about hardware. Gwadera raises concerns over the Trump administration's transactional security approach, as he urges allies to boost defense spending while questioning unconditional US support. She states that despite reaffirming nuclear guarantees with Japan and South Korea, doubts linger amid China and North Korea's growing nuclear capabilities. She warns that the erosion of trust in US deterrence could push Japan and South Korea toward indigenous nuclear programs, undermining global non-proliferation efforts.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Far More Powerful B61-13 Guided Nuclear Bomb Variant Joins U.S. Stockpile
The first production example of the new B61-13 nuclear bomb has been completed roughly a year ahead of schedule, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. The B61-13 is based on the preceding B61-12, but offers a higher maximum yield that U.S. officials say offers important additional capacity to hold hardened targets, such as underground command and control facilities, and ones spread across physically larger areas, at risk. The U.S. military first announced plans to develop and field the B61-13, primarily as a replacement for the B61-7 variant, in 2023. The plan had previously been for the B61-12 to supplant the B61-7, as well as the B61-3 and B61-4 versions. The B61 is America's longest-serving family of nuclear gravity bombs, and you can read more about the existing members thereof here. 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 — NNSA (@NNSANews) May 19, 2025 '[The] Pantex Plant has completed the first production unit of the B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb – designed to strengthen the flexibility and credibility of America's nuclear deterrent,' according to a social media post today from the Department of Energy, which also included a small glimpse of the weapon. 'This major milestone for America's nuclear stockpile was completed a year ahead of schedule!' 'Modernizing America's nuclear stockpile is essential to delivering President Trump's peace through strength agenda,' Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said in a statement today. '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. It was my honor today to stamp the first completed unit at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, where all the efforts of NNSA's labs, plants, and sites culminated in this amazing milestone. This achievement signals American strength to our adversaries and allies alike.' B61-13 with DOE Gold Star Quality Stamp — Casillic (@Casillic) May 19, 2025 The Pantex Plant in Texas is where U.S. nuclear weapons are assembled and disassembled, and the facility also oversees testing and evaluation activities. Pantex falls under the oversight of the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which manages the development of new and improved nuclear weapons and sustains America's existing nuclear stockpile. 'NNSA anticipated achieving the first production unit for the B61 Mod 13 later this month, almost a full year ahead of schedule,' Teresa Robbins, NNSA's Acting Administrator, had told members of the House Armed Services Committee on May 7. Robbins' prepared remarks for the hearing said that 'taking advantage of existing B61 production lines' had been a key factor in accelerating work on the new version. 'Decades of B61 design and qualification data gave NNSA's program managers and engineers from the national laboratories and production plants confidence that they could accept calculated risks to speed production,' per an NNSA press release today. 'By streamlining or in some cases combining 'design gates' – the rigorous reviews conducted at each step of a weapon design process – engineers were able to commence production far sooner than a standard schedule would allow. These efficiencies allowed B61-13 hardware 'test builds' to be manufactured just three months after the program received authorization and appropriation from Congress.' From the pictures that have been released to date, looks essentially identical to the B61-12 externally. The B61-13 notably features the same tail kit assembly (TKA) containing an inertial navigation system (INS) guidance package that was introduced on the B61-12. In addition, 'the B61-13 incorporates the same modern safety, security, and accuracy features as the B61-12,' according to today's NNSA release. Yield is where the B61-13 is understood to differ most from the B61-12. All B61 variants are so-called 'dial-a-yield' weapons that can be set to detonate with varying degrees of explosive force. Though the exact figures are classified, the U.S. government has said the maximum yield of the B61-13 will be in line with the previous B61-7 version it is intended to replace, the highest yield setting on which is reportedly between 340 and 360 kilotons. The reported maximum yield of the B61-12 is 50 kilotons. The B61-7 is one of the most powerful nuclear gravity bombs in the U.S. stockpile now. Despite the lower maximum yield, the U.S. military had previously argued that the new guidance capability found on the B61-12, which is also spin-stabilized using small rocket motors positioned around the rear of its body for additional accuracy, would allow it to hold hardened targets, even ones deep underground, at risk by being able to focus is explosive force on a more precise point. Even before the announcement of plans for the B61-13 two years ago, the U.S. government had already been steadily walking back expectations for the B61-12. It's worth noting here that the B61-13 will be reserved for U.S. military use only, unlike the B61-12, which America's NATO allies could employ via the alliance's nuclear sharing agreements if authorized. Interestingly, in 2022, U.S. officials confirmed that not all aircraft set to be certified to carry the B61-12, particularly certain tactical jets in NATO service, will be able to employ the precision guidance capability, as you can read more about here. In addition, unlike the B61-12, which U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles and F-35A Joint Strike Fighters are certified to employ, the B61-13 will be reserved for use by B-2 Spirit and forthcoming B-21 Raider stealth bombers. U.S. B-52 bombers are no longer certified to drop nuclear gravity bombs of any type, though they are still able to fire nuclear-tipped cruise missiles. Overall, work on the B61-13 has come as China, America's chief global competitor and pacing threat, as well as Russia, have continued to expand their underground military infrastructure. In addition to new subterranean command and control facilities, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has notably constructed vast new fields of new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) silos in recent years. The PLA also has an underground submarine base and many airfields with cavernous hardened hangars. Smaller countries like North Korea and Iran have also been increasingly pushing strategic and other military assets, particularly facilities tied to their nuclear and long-range ballistic missile programs, deeper underground just in response to potential conventional threats, primarily from the United States. This includes silo-based and other hardened ballistic missile launch infrastructure. At the same time, the B61-13 is not expected to be able to hold absolutely all deeply buried targets at risk. There are still no known plans for a direct successor to the highly specialized B61-11 variant, which features a substantially reinforced outer shell and a rocket booster in the tail to help it penetrate down toward especially deeply buried targets. Russia's Kosvinsky Kamen, a key component of that country's nuclear command and control enterprise that is situated under a mountain, is understood to have been a key driver behind the B61-11's development in the first place. B61-11 Nuclear Earth Panetrator — Casillic (@Casillic) December 14, 2021 A contracting notice in January did hint at the possibility that further B61 versions could be on the horizon. In the meantime, production of higher-yield B61-13s is now well underway. Contact the author: joe@
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Locals call for transparency after nuclear drill
People living near a US airbase earmarked to house nuclear weapons say they are being left in the dark about what would happen in the event of a radiation alert. It comes after a drill simulating an accident involving such material was held, with personnel from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk taking part. Nick Timothy, Conservative MP for West Suffolk, said while the US military was "welcome", there needed to be "transparency as far as possible on issues like this exercise". A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said: "Exercise Diamond Dragon demonstrated our preparedness to respond to any incident, no matter how unlikely". The exercise was conducted at nearby RAF Honington. A US Air Force (USAF) spokesman said: "Airmen from the USAF participated in a small-scale, joint emergency response exercise from September 23-25, 2024. "The purpose was to train and evaluate combined emergency response procedures in support of military operations and accidents". The last exercise was held in 2015, after which a report into what lessons had been learned was published. The Suffolk Resilience Forum, which leads on emergency planning in the county, confirmed the scenario in both instances was a simulated crash in the UK of a US aircraft carrying "defence nuclear materials". Lakenheath Parish Council chairman Gerald Kelly said he had been told informally about the latest drill. He said the area had an emergency plan, but added: "There is nothing in there about this sort of incident." The MoD should inform residents "what it wants us to do" if the event of an incident, he said. Mr Kelly called for a siren system to be installed and for the local community to be involved in any future exercises. Last year it emerged RAF Lakenheath was preparing facilities to house and guard nuclear bombs, 15 years after they were removed from the site. The F-35A Lightning II squadron at the base is now certified to carry the B61-12 thermonuclear munition. The UK and Nato have a long-standing policy to neither confirm nor deny the presence of nuclear weapons at a given location. The Defence Nuclear Organisation, which oversees "all defence nuclear business, excluding operations", published guidance in 2021 detailing what local authorities should do in case of a nuclear weapons emergency. One section advised members of the public situated 5km (three miles) downwind of an incident should be evacuated in a 45-degree arc, centred on the wind direction. Parents would also be advised not to try to collect children from school unless told otherwise. "The school authorities will look after them," the document stated. Lakenheath villagers said they did not know about this advice or Exercise Diamond Dragon. David Rolph, who has lived locally for 20 years, said: "I think the local people should be well aware of what we can do if something happened on-base and there isn't any information. There is no noticeboard saying what to do." He endorsed the idea of a siren warning system. Lily Brown, 33, a barber who previously worked at RAF Lakenheath, was not keen on the idea of sirens being installed. "I'd rather not know what's coming," she said. Sally Hunt confirmed she also had received no nuclear safety information, despite living close to Lakenheath for two decades. "If they are going to have nuclear weapons up there, I think we should be aware of it and know that there are safety measures in place," she added. Timothy, who has represented the constituency since last July, said: "We know that exercises like this take place across government, across the military and public services for all sorts of different possibilities all the time." A spokesman for the Suffolk Resilience Forum said it would publish a report on the latest exercise. They added: "This happened in West Suffolk because of the obvious availability and proximity of a suitable location and relevant military personnel. "This exercise is relevant to anywhere in the UK and does not represent a specific threat to our area." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Two arrested at peace protest outside US airbase Police helicopter 'near miss' during drone alert Ministers urged to clarify nuclear deployment Ministry of Defence RAF Lakenheath Suffolk Resilience Forum
