The United States has officially completed production of the B61-12 tactical nuclear bomb, a weapon so expensive that each unit costs more than an equivalent weight in pure gold.
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announced on January 7 that the final B61-12 bomb rolled off the production line in late December, over three years after the first unit was delivered to the U.S. Air Force.
This milestone marks the conclusion of the B61-12 modernization program, initiated in 2008 with a total cost of approximately $9 billion. "Completing this program on schedule demonstrates our commitment to delivering weapons on time and at the scale required by our Department of Defense partners, meeting their deterrence needs," said Jill Hruby, head of the NNSA.
With the B61-12 program completed, the NNSA is now shifting focus to the next iteration, the B61-13 bomb. Unveiled in December 2023, the B61-13 boasts a significantly higher yield of around 360,000 tons of TNT, compared to the B61-12's maximum yield of 50,000 tons. Like its predecessor, the B61-13 will not feature newly manufactured nuclear warheads but will repurpose warheads from older bombs while incorporating upgraded guidance systems.
A Deadly and Costly Upgrade
The B61-12 bomb is equipped with satellite-guided precision targeting capabilities, making it one of the most advanced and versatile weapons in the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Its compact design allows it to fit within the weapons bays of stealth fighters like the F-35A, further enhancing its tactical deployment potential.
Weighing 320 kilograms (about 705 pounds), each B61-12 bomb costs an eye-watering $28 million—far exceeding the value of a solid gold bar of the same weight.
The bomb has already been certified for use on several aircraft, including the U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle, F-35A Lightning II, B-2 Spirit, and F-16 Fighting Falcon, as well as Germany’s PA-200 Tornado. Certification efforts are ongoing for Italy’s Tornado fleet and the upcoming U.S. B-21 Raider stealth bomber.
A Long-Running Project
The B61-12 is a significant upgrade from previous models, integrating advanced guidance technology for increased accuracy and adaptability. Its completion highlights a pivotal step in modernizing the U.S. nuclear deterrent strategy.
As the U.S. moves forward with the next-generation B61-13, it continues to reinforce its nuclear capabilities while maintaining its commitments to arms control agreements.
(Adapted from Breaking Defense, War Zone)
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