F-35 fighter planeImage Credit source: Sandia Lab News

Taking a major step after more than three decades, America has successfully tested the B61-12 tactical thermonuclear bomb. The special thing is that this test was done with an inert bomb without a warhead, but through this America has given a strong message of its technical capability to the world.

Sandia National Laboratories, part of the US Department of Energy, confirmed that the test was conducted between August 19 and 21 at the Nevada Test Site, using a state-of-the-art F-35A stealth fighter jet.

Nuclear bomb dropped from F-35A

According to the report, the F-35A flew the inert version of the B61-12 within safe guidelines during the test and dropped it accurately on the target. This test was conducted in collaboration with NNSA (National Nuclear Security Administration). The most interesting thing was that thermal preconditioning technology was used for the first time. This meant that the joint test assembly of the bomb was subjected to extreme temperature changes to determine how capable the weapon would be in the harsh conditions of actual combat. Such an experiment had never been done before with the F-35.

What is B61-12 bomb?

The B61-12 is the newest and most advanced version of America’s old but highly reliable B61 nuclear bomb family. The B61 series has been in service with the US Army since 1968. This is an air-dropped nuclear gravity bomb. It can be launched from aircraft like B-2A, F-15E, F-16, PA-200, F-35 and the upcoming B-21. Its length is about 12 feet and weight is about 825 pounds (374 kg). It can engage targets in two modes—gravity mode (direct fall) and guided mode (precisely guided attack). The B61-12 has been designed to be safer, more accurate and more strategically flexible than older nuclear technology.

Life of bomb extended by 20 years

Sandia said that the service life extension program of B61-12 has been completed by the end of 2024, which will increase the life of these bombs by 20 years. This is important because it will give America a strategic edge in the coming years even without making major changes in its nuclear capability. In March 2024, the US officially gave permission for the F-35A to carry and drop the B61-12. This made the F-35A a dual-capable aircraft which can now carry out nuclear attacks in addition to normal weapons.