B61
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1968
Total Production : 3,735
The United States of America B61 is a variable yield thermonuclear bomb designed for carriage by high speed/supersonic aircraft and release from high and low altitudes aided by a parachute and a delayed fuze. The bomb was designed in 1963 in Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and entered production in 1968. The 320 kg B61 bomb yield varies from 0.3 to 340 kilotons depending on the assigned target. The B61 Mod 11 (B61-11) was developed in 1997 to serve as a ground penetrating bunker buster weapon. As of 2014 some 200 B61 bombs remain in service with the United States of America Air Force (USAF) and its NATO allies. The B61 bomb has been integrated with the F-111, Tornado IDS, B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers and the F-4, F-15C/D/E, F-16, F/A-18, A-4, A-6 and A-7 aircraft. The B61 Mod 12 (B61-12) is the latest development and is intended for release primarily by the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) carried in its internal weapons bay. The F-22 internal weapons bay is not compatible with the B61 nuclear bomb.
| Model | Status | Year | Produced |
|---|---|---|---|
| B61 | Active | 1968 | 3,155 |
| B61 Mod 12 | Under Development | 2024 | 480 |
| B61 Mod 13 | Under Development | 2029 | 100 |
B61
Group : Bombs
Status : Active
Also Known As : B61 Mod 11, B61-11
Origin : 
United States of America
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 1968
Total Production : 3,155
The USAF procured 50 B61-11 bombs beginning in 1997 to be used primarily by the B-2A Spirit stealth bomber. The 540 kg Mod 11 gravity bomb features a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of 170 meters and a yield of 400 kilotons. All the models previous to this one are expected to phase out before 2020 with the B61-11 being the only model in the active duty thereafter.
Operators
| Country | Status | State | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | Active | 200/3,155 |
Specifications
| Notes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Diameter | 330 millimeter | |
| Length | 3.6 meter | |
| Mass | ||
| Weight | 540 kilogram | |
| Performance | ||
| CEP | 170 meter | |
| Yield | ||
| Yield | 400 kiloton | |
B61 Mod 12
Group : Bombs
Status : Under Development
Also Known As : B61-12
Origin : United States of America
Contractor : Boeing
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2024
First Flight : July 2015
Total Production : 480
Development Cost : USD $9.5 billion
Unitary Cost : USD $19.8 million
The B61 Mod 12, with an estimated accuracy of 30 meters and an intended service life of 20 years, is fitted with a 50 kilotons nuclear warhead far more suitable for tactical use due by its low yield, higher reliability and accuracy. Alternatively the Mod 12 can yield 0.3, 5 or 10 kilotons. Development of the new bomb is being carried out by Boeing and will feature a glider to provide increased standoff capability compared with previous gravity nuclear bombs. Besides, the new bomb will leverage Boeing's Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) technology for increased accuracy. The B61-12 may enter service after 2017 integrated with the F-35 stealth fighter aircraft and the B-2A stealth bomber. NATO allies buying the F-35 may use the new nuclear bomb as well. The USAF may procure 400-500 B61-12 bombs replacing all the previous models except the Mod 11 models that may stay in service for another decade. The B61-12 may replace the B83 nuclear bomb as well. Production started in May 2022 with deliveries due to complete by 2026.
Operators
| Country | Status | State | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | Planned | 480 | Roughly 100 bombs to be located in Europe |
Specifications
| Notes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Diameter | 330 millimeter | |
| Length | 3.6 meter | |
| Mass | ||
| Weight | 320 kilogram | |
| Performance | ||
| CEP | 30 meter | |
| Time | ||
| Service Life | 20 year | |
| Yield | ||
| Yield | 50 kiloton | |
B61 Mod 13
Group : Bombs
Status : Under Development
Also Known As : B61-13
Origin : United States of America
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2029
Total Production : 100
The B61 mod 13 (B61-13) is a nuclear-warhead gravity bomb intended as replacement for the B61-7 weapon. The B61-13 program was announced in October 2023 with the United States Congress expected to ratify the development of this modern weapon soon thereafter. The B61-13 will offer greater yield than the B61-12 weapon and will be delivered by modern fighter aircraft and bombers.
Operators
| Country | Status | State | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States of America | Planned | 100 |
Specifications
| Notes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Yield | ||
| Yield | 360 kiloton | |
News
The decision to produce B61-13 warheads was made in 2023 by the previous US administration led by Joe Biden WASHINGTON, May 8.
The US National Nuclear Security Agency has published a report on the progress of the modernization of America's nuclear arsenal.
Breaking Defense online magazine reported, that the certification issued for carrying the B61-12 was achieved on October 12, 2023 WASHINGTON, March 8.
Today, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced that the United States will pursue a modern variant of the B61 nuclear gravity bomb, designated the B61-13, pending Congressional
The US will begin replacing the B61 tactical nuclear bombs stationed in Europe and Turkey with their modernized guided variant, the B61-12, ahead of schedule.
In May, the United States will begin mass production of a modified B61 tactical nuclear bomb. This was reported in the Federation of American Scientists.
The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, has been awarded a $79,100,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for B61-12 Tail Kit Assembly (TKA) surveillance and sustainment support.
The stealthy F-35 will be the first supersonic fighter jet to carry the small B61-12 nuclear bomb inside an internal weapons bay, meaning it won’t have to sacrifice stealthiness
The F-15E Strike Eagle has become the first aircraft to demonstrate compatibility with the B61-12 nuclear gravity bomb, following a series of flight tests that reportedly
The US Air Force sent out a B-2 stealth bomber to deploy an upgraded B61-12 nuclear bomb recently in an effort to review the weapon’s accuracy and ability to carry out its
Once deployed, the low to intermediate-yield tactical and strategic weapons will replace existing B61 bombs at the US's European and Turkish bases.
US President Donald Trump's Nuclear Posture Review, formally released Friday afternoon, calls for strapping nuclear weapons onto stealthy F-35 jets, among other policy updates.
Notes
State Latest Known holdings/Original Procurement
Com - Date of Commissioning
Decom - Date of Decommissioning
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