In the early 1950s, with the accumulation of nuclear weapons and their miniaturization, the US military leadership began to consider nuclear weapon as a means of armed struggle on the battlefield.
The use of a low-yield nuclear charge made it possible to create a gap in the enemy's defenses or to destroy a concentration of troops in places of concentration with one sudden blow. Over time, the United States lagged behind in tactical nuclear weapons.
In addition, after the loss of the "nuclear monopoly" in 1949, the Americans were well aware that the use of "strategic" nuclear charges against the USSR would immediately cause a retaliatory strike on the United States, and the local use of tactical nuclear weapons (TNW) on the territory of third countries, within the framework of the doctrine " limited nuclear war”, gave hope for the possibility of avoiding a global “nuclear apocalypse”.
According to this doctrine, the use of tactical nuclear weapons was to be limited to a local territory outside the United States. As areas for the use of tactical nuclear weapons were considered: Western Europe, Korea, Indochina and Cuba.
History of the development of tactical nuclear weapons
At the first stage, free-fall bombs became the main type of tactical nuclear weapons, and tactical and carrier-based strike bombs became the delivery vehicles. aviation.
However, fighter-bombers had a number of significant drawbacks.
For example, the accuracy of bombing made it possible for friendly troops to strike safely only in the depths of the enemy’s defenses, the effectiveness of the use of combat aviation is directly dependent on the weather and time of day, and besides, combat aircraft are vulnerable to air defense systems.
The use of nuclear weapons directly on the battlefield required accurate, all-weather, mobile and compact delivery vehicles invulnerable to air defense.
Tactical (TR) and operational-tactical (OTR) missiles became such carriers.
In the 1950s–1970s, a number of rockets with engines operating on both solid and liquid fuels were created in the United States.
Rockets “Honest John”, “Little John”, “Sergeant”, “Corporal”, “Lacrosse”, “Lance” had rather high mobility, their accuracy allowed to strike blows at objects located near the line of military contact of troops.
Some of these missiles were placed at the disposal of the troops of NATO countries. For example, Lance missiles (launch range from nuclear warheads -120 km) were delivered to the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and Belgium.
Following the agreements concluded by the United States with these countries, nuclear warheads in peacetime were stored at American bases in Europe, and in the event of an aggravation of the situation, they were transferred to the missile units of NATO allied countries.
Including it was supposed to transfer "neutron charges" intended to combat Soviet tank wedges. In the early 1980s, 380 neutron warheads for Lance missiles were manufactured.
In addition to tactical nuclear bombs and missiles, "atomic artillery" also developed. The miniaturization of nuclear charges made it possible to create "atomic shells" for artillery pieces.
In the first half of the 1950s, the army corps of the American army in Europe was reinforced with a 280-mm M65 "atomic weapon" with a T124 projectile (nuclear charge power 15 kt).
This gun could fire at a distance of up to 24 km, while half of the shells hit a circle with a diameter of 130 meters. However, due to excessive mass, long preparation time for use and poor mobility, the M65 gun was not in service for long.
In 1957, the 203-mm M422 artillery projectile with nuclear warheads was adopted, the power of which, depending on the modification, was 5–40 kt. Such shells could fire 203-mm serial self-propelled artillery mounts M55 and M110.
Especially for howitzers of the M110 type, at the end of the 1970s, the M753 active-rocket projectile with nuclear warheads with a power of up to 1,1 kt entered service. The nuclear warhead was made in two versions: with a "conventional" nuclear charge and with a nuclear charge, which has an increased neutron yield during the explosion.
In 1963, the 155-mm M454 projectile appeared, equipped with a W48 nuclear warhead with a power of 0,1 kt. In 1989, the 155-mm M785 projectile with a W82 nuclear warhead with a power of 1,5 kt was adopted. These shells could fire the most common NATO self-propelled 155-mm howitzers M109 and FH70, as well as towed 155-mm howitzers M114A1 and M198.
The lightest and most unusual weapons of "nuclear artillery" were the American "recoilless" of the Devi Crocket family: 120-mm M28 and 155-mm M29. In 1962, they entered service with US infantry divisions in Europe.
Both guns, firing the same M388 over-caliber projectile with a nuclear charge of up to 1 kt, were "close combat" systems. The firing range of the M28 was 2 km, the M29 could throw a projectile at 4 km.
In the 1960s, tactical nuclear weapons were distributed to all branches of the American armed forces.
In addition to offensive weapons, purely defensive systems were also equipped with nuclear warheads.
Thus, more than half of the anti-aircraft missiles of the Nike Ajax and Nike Hercules air defense systems deployed on American soil carried nuclear warheads. Bomark unmanned supersonic interceptors stationed in the USA and Canada were armed only with them.
Nuclear warheads were also equipped with aviation unguided rockets, which were intended to combat Soviet long-range bombers.
In Germany, a network of wells was created along transport routes for laying nuclear land mines. The command of the NATO military forces intended to reduce the pace of the advance of Soviet tanks rushing to the English Channel by creating impenetrable radioactive blockages.
Until the early 1970s, the United States significantly outnumbered the USSR in tactical nuclear weapons.
In the early 1980s, the Soviet Union gained a significant advantage in tactical nuclear weapons and their means of delivery. According to information published in open sources, at the end of the 1980s, there were about 22 tactical nuclear weapons in the Soviet armed forces.
After the end of the Cold War, the number of tactical nuclear weapons in the United States and Russia has decreased many times over.
Due to the fact that this category of nuclear weapons does not fall under any international agreements, the United States and Russia do not publish official statistics relating to this area. However, according to foreign experts, Russia is many times superior to the United States in terms of tactical nuclear weapons.
According to expert estimates, there are about 1 tactical warheads in Russia. First of all, these are free-falling nuclear bombs for Tu-900M22 / M3M, Su-3M and Su-24 aircraft, warheads for operational-tactical, cruise missiles and anti-missiles of the Moscow missile defense system, possibly nuclear depth charges and torpedoes. Most of the Russian tactical nuclear weapons are located in warehouses.
The Americans now have approximately 230 B61-3 and B-61-4 thermonuclear bombs in combat readiness. Another number of tactical thermonuclear bombs are in storage in the United States, waiting for their turn to be upgraded or disposed of.
Aircraft carriers of American tactical nuclear bombs
During the years of confrontation with the Warsaw Pact countries, a significant part of the fighter-bombers that were in service with the air forces of the NATO countries had the ability to carry nuclear weapons.
At the time of the collapse of the USSR, the main carriers of tactical bombs B61-3, B61-4, B61-10 (now in storage) and B57 (decommissioned) in the US Air Force were F-15E and F-16A / C fighter-bombers, as well as tactical F-111 bombers.
Until the early 1990s, nuclear bombs were available on American aircraft carriers, where the carrier-based attack aircraft A-6E, A-7E, anti-submarine aircraft S-3A / B and fighter-bombers F / A-18A / C were the means of delivery.
Currently, the task of combat use of tactical nuclear weapons is assigned to the F-15E and F-16C / D fighter-bombers belonging to the US Air Force Combat Air Command.
Also, A-10A / C attack aircraft were considered as carriers of tactical nuclear weapons. However, at the moment, due to a sharp reduction in the number of tactical nuclear bombs, attack aircraft pilots no longer conduct appropriate training.
The two-seat fighter-bomber F-15E Strike Eagle, which is now the main carrier of tactical nuclear weapons, was put into service in 1988. For that time, it was a very advanced combat aircraft capable of performing strike missions and conducting dogfights. Until 2001, 236 fighter-bombers were built by order of the US Air Force.
F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bomber with B61 inert bomb
Compared to purely fighter modifications of the F-15A / B / C / D, the F-15E fighter-bomber had a significantly larger fuel reserve, which increased the flight range, and improved avionics, which makes it possible to confidently fly a fighter at extremely low altitude in all weather conditions , day and night, to find and identify small-sized ground targets and use weapons of various classes on them.
It was almost possible to increase the fuel supply on the Strike Eagle compared to the two-seat combat training F-15B by almost two times, thanks to the use of conformal fuel tanks - non-resettable containers hung on the side surfaces of the fuselage. They closely adjoined the skin of the aircraft, and the gaps between the airframe and the tank were smoothed out with special elastic cuffs.
Such tanks slightly worsened the aerodynamics of the aircraft compared to traditional PTBs, allowing them to fly at a speed corresponding to 1,8 M. On the surface of the conformal tanks, missile and bomb armament hardpoints could be placed.
The maximum takeoff weight of the F-15E is 36 kg. The maximum speed is 740 km/h. Cruising - 2 km / h. Practical ceiling - 600 m. Combat radius without refueling when flying along a mixed profile with a PTB - 917 km. Ferry range - 18 km. A combat load weighing up to 300 kg is placed on nine external hardpoints.
The F-15E fighter-bomber can carry up to five nuclear bombs, but the standard load is two bombs.
At the time of adoption, the F-15E fighter-bomber could carry nuclear bombs of the B61 family, as well as tactical bombs B57 with a power of 5–20 kt.
Inert training analogue of the B57 nuclear bomb
Until the second half of the 1970s, the B57 bombs were the main nuclear weapon intended for delivery by tactical and carrier-based aircraft.
A total of 3 units were produced. The mass of the bomb, depending on the modification, was 100-230 kg. It was adapted to fly at supersonic speeds. The bomb body had a streamlined shape and solid thermal insulation.
In the mid-1990s, the bombs of the B57 family were removed from service. Under the conditions of international detente and the reduction of nuclear arsenals, they were supplanted by the more versatile B61.
Satellite image of Google Earth: F-15E fighter-bombers at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
The first combat unit to receive the F-15E was the 4th Air Wing (regiment), deployed at the Seymour Johnson base in North Carolina. The 4th Air Wing now has four fighter squadrons.
Satellite image of Google Earth: F-15E fighter-bombers and KC-135R tanker aircraft at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
To support the actions of fighter-bombers, they were given two wings of tanker aircraft KC-135R Stratotanker and KC-46A Pegasus.
Another US Air Force combat unit operating F-15E fighter-bombers is the 366th Air Wing stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, consisting of two F-15E squadrons and one F-15SG squadron.
Fighter-bomber F-15SG of the 428th Fighter Squadron
It is reported that the F-15SG Strike Eagle aircraft of the 428th Fighter Squadron are intended for training pilots of the Singapore Air Force as part of the Peace Carvin V program, but mostly Americans fly them.
Satellite image of Google Earth: F-15E fighter-bombers at Lakenheath airbase
Since 1992, the F-15E fighter-bombers of the 492nd and 494th squadrons of the 48th Fighter Wing of the US Air Force have been based at the British airbase Lakenheath, located in Suffolk.
Satellite image of Google Earth: F-15E fighter-bombers at Buchel airbase
Several times a year, American F-15Es stationed at Lakenheath Air Base are deployed to European airfields of NATO countries during exercises. Most often these are air bases where American nuclear weapons are stored.
F-16CM fighters on the runway of the Spangdahl airbase
In addition to the F-15E, it is planned to use the F-16CM / DM Fighting Falcon multi-role fighters of the 480th fighter squadron of the 52nd air wing, stationed at the Spangdahl airbase, to deliver tactical nuclear bombs in Europe.
Satellite image of Google Earth: F-16CM / DM fighters at the Spangdahlem airbase
Upgraded single and double "Fighting Falcons" are capable of carrying up to three B61-3 and B-61-4 bombs, but in a real sortie, they will most likely hang only one. The combat radius of the F-16CM with one thermonuclear bomb without in-flight refueling is about 1 km.
American F-16CG/DG fighters are also based in northeast Italy. Two squadrons: 510th and 555th from the 31st Fighter Wing are deployed at Aviano Air Base.
Satellite image of Google Earth: F-16 fighters at Aviano airbase
In Turkey, the Incirlik airbase is permanently hosted by American units of the 39th Air Wing responsible for maintaining infrastructure, communications and security.
Satellite image of Google Earth: American F-16 and F-15 fighters at the Incirlik airbase
The US Air Force does not have combat flight squadrons assigned to the Turkish Incirlik airbase.
Although the Turkish leadership opposes the permanent deployment of American combat aircraft here, US Air Force fighters and refueling aircraft often land at the airbase. To supply the American contingent, C-17A Globemaster III military transport aircraft are used.
Satellite image of Google Earth: tanker aircraft KS-135 and military transport C-17A at the airbase Indzherlik
Carriers of American nuclear bombs in wartime can also be fighter-bombers of European NATO countries - Belgian and Dutch F-16A / B from Klein Brogel and Volkel air bases, German and Italian Tornado IDS and Tornado ECR (EA-200) from Büchel and Gedi.
German fighter-bomber Tornado IDS
In peacetime, tactical nuclear bombs stored at European air bases are guarded and maintained exclusively by US military personnel.
Satellite image of Google Earth: Tornado IDS fighter-bombers at Bühel airbase
In total, up to 80 bombs can be transferred to the allies in wartime. Activation codes will be broadcast only after the American command decides on the use of nuclear weapons.
Satellite image of Google Earth: Tornado ECR fighter-bombers at Gedi Air Base
To develop and maintain the skills of using B61 thermonuclear bombs, Belgian, German and Dutch pilots, as part of the annual Steadfast Noon exercises, regularly train with inert mass-dimensional analogues painted in white and red, dropping them at test sites.
Until 2016, pilots of Turkish F-16C/D fighters took part in the "nuclear exercises". But at present, due to the aggravation of relations with the United States, the Turks are deprived of such an opportunity.
US tactical nuclear bomb storage sites
Unlike nuclear bombs intended for US strategic bombers, tactical bombs are not stored at fighter bomber bases on US soil.
It is known that the largest number of nuclear charges (about 2) at the disposal of the US Air Force are located in the arsenal and underground storage "Manzano" at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico. This nuclear arsenal, its laboratory and storage facilities are managed by the US Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center.
Satellite image of Google Earth: nuclear arsenal at Kirtland Air Force Base
At the moment, the Manzano nuclear weapons storage facility is operated by the 498th "nuclear" air wing, which interacts with the Department of Energy. The duties of the personnel of the 498th Air Wing include the storage, repair and maintenance of nuclear weapons and individual components, as well as ensuring the safe handling of nuclear materials.
Maintenance of W80 thermonuclear warheads at the nuclear arsenal at Kirland Air Force Base
The Kirtland arsenal and nuclear storage facility has approximately 900 warheads (including tactical ones) that are part of the US Department of Defense's active stockpile, as well as up to 1 warheads awaiting disassembly at the Pentex Plant nuclear weapons plant in Texas.
Google Earth Satellite Image: Manzano Nuclear Warfare Storage at Kirtland Air Force Base
The Kirtland nuclear arsenal is built in a very convenient location. Amorillo airbase, located in close proximity to the Pentex Plant, is about an hour's flight with a tiltrotor CV-22 Osprey.
Such aircraft are in the 58th Wing of Special Operations, whose personnel are responsible for the protection and transportation of nuclear weapons, as well as the elimination of crisis situations.
Google Earth satellite image: CV-22 Osprey convertiplanes at Kirtland Air Force Base
In addition to convertiplanes, the fleet of the 58th Wing of Special Operations has UH-1N and HH-60 helicopters, as well as HC-130J and MC-130J aircraft.
Los Alamos National Laboratory is located 90 km north of Kirtland Air Force Base, the oldest and largest research and production organization in the American nuclear weapons industry. The proximity of this scientific center, which deals with the development of nuclear weapons and security issues, allows you to quickly resolve issues related to the storage and maintenance of nuclear charges.
Approximately 120-150 of the current 230 "active" tactical thermonuclear bombs are in storage in Europe at NATO air bases.
Most of the American nuclear bombs in Europe are located in the WS3 storage system - the lower underground level of highly secure aircraft shelters at six air bases in five countries.
Each storage can contain up to four nuclear bombs, which are located directly under the carrier aircraft and, if necessary, can be quickly brought into combat position and hung on the carrier. However, some bases have separate nuclear cellars.
Satellite image of Google Earth: storage of nuclear bombs at Lakenheath Air Force Base
According to information published in open sources, most of the American nuclear bombs are stored at the Turkish Incirlik airbase (up to 50 units).
There are 10-20 bombs each at air bases in other countries: in Belgium (Klein-Brogel air base), the Netherlands (Volkel air base), Germany (Büchel air base), Italy (Aviano and Gedi air bases).
The layout of the storage bases for American tactical nuclear bombs in Europe. Red triangles - active bases, blue - reserve
There are also reserve storage facilities with divisions for the protection and operation of nuclear bombs in the UK (Lakenheath Air Base - 33 shelters), Germany (Ramstein Air Base - 55 shelters) and Greece (Arakos Air Base - 11 shelters).
Prospects for improving American tactical nuclear weapons and their means of delivery
Currently, the F-15E fighter-bombers are in the twilight of their careers and will be decommissioned by 2030.
In 2021, there were approximately 200 aircraft in a capable and fit for quick recovery condition.
In the short term, the physically worn-out F-15Es should be replaced by other fighter-bombers.
One of the contenders for this role is the F-15EX Eagle II - created on the basis of the F-15QA fighter (Qatar Advanced - for the Qatar Air Force).
Fighter F-15EX
The F-15EX differs from previous modifications in an improved airframe with a resource of 20 flight hours and an updated composition of open architecture avionics. Conformal fuel tanks (as on the F-15E) provide increased range.
It is reported that the F-15EX two-seat fighter is capable of carrying the full range of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons available for the F-15C / D and F-15E aircraft. However, the Eagle II appears to be intended to replace the decommissioned 4th generation F-15C/D heavy air superiority fighters and is not currently being considered as a primary strike option.
Apparently, the 5th generation F-35A Lightning II fighter will become the main carrier of American tactical nuclear bombs. For the US Air Force alone, Lockheed Martin has built more than 2021 aircraft as of 230. In total, the US military department plans to purchase 1 F-763A fighters.
The maximum takeoff weight of the F-35A fighter reaches 29 kg. The maximum speed is 000 km/h. Combat load - up to 1 930 kg. The combat radius without PTB and refueling is 8 km.
By 2023, F-35A fighters equipped with avionics and Block 4 software should be able to carry B61-12 nuclear bombs. Two bombs can be placed in the inner compartments.
In the short term, the corrected B61-12 with adjustable explosion power should become the main American nuclear bomb: 0,3; 1,5; 10 and 50 ct.
The B61-12/61/3/4 nuclear bombs will be converted into the B7-10 modification. The Pantex Plant in Texas will repair or replace non-nuclear components. The plutonium assemblies for the B61-12 are planned to be mainly borrowed from the primary stages of the old B61 bombs that have passed the life extension program, the secondary stages with thermonuclear fuel will be new.
Test release of the B61-12 inert guided nuclear bomb from the F-15E aircraft
Due to the high accuracy of the hit and the possibility of dropping the bomb at a distance of up to 120 km from the target, it is expected to increase the effectiveness of strikes and reduce the vulnerability of the carrier.
Radar and electromechanical fuses, as well as the hardened body of the B61-12 bomb, make it possible to implement various scenarios for combat use. With an air blast, it is possible to defeat areal weakly protected targets, and when buried several meters into the ground, it is possible to destroy underground fortified objects.
The adoption of the B61-12 bomb and the decommissioning of the B61-3 and B61-4 bombs will require the renewal of the fighter-bomber fleet of NATO air forces participating in the Nuclear Sharing program.
It is known that the F-16 fighters available in Belgium and Holland, as well as the German and Italian Tornadoes, due to the incompatibility of software and avionics, will not be able to use new nuclear bombs. And this, most likely, will accelerate the transition to the American F-35A fighters.
However, all German Tornadoes should be decommissioned by 2025, and light fighters of the early F-16A series, even taking into account the passage of major repairs and modernization due to the exhaustion of the resource, must be replaced in the next 5-7 years.
The question arises about the advisability of deploying tactical nuclear bombs at the Turkish Incirlik air base.
As you know, deliveries of F-35A fighters to Turkey are blocked, and the unpredictability and inadequacy of the Turkish leadership makes the storage of American tactical nuclear weapons in Turkey unsafe.
Of course, the American thermonuclear bombs of the B61 family, like other modern ammunition of a similar purpose, have several degrees of protection, and if necessary, the electronic filling can be burned by giving it a special command, after which the bomb will be suitable only for the recycling of nuclear materials.
Satellite image of Google Earth: storage of nuclear bombs at Incirlik airbase
If the situation does not change dramatically, then with a high degree of probability the American tactical nuclear weapons from the Incirlik base will be evacuated in the near future. In this case, the most likely locations for the B61-12 bombs are Ramstein and Lakenheath air bases.
The US military is well aware of the weakness and lagging behind of its tactical nuclear arsenal, and in the past the US has repeatedly proposed to our country to conclude a treaty on the control and reduction of tactical nuclear weapons.
To compensate for Russia's superiority in this area, the United States plans to take a number of steps.
Taking into account the fact that fighter-bombers in the role of carriers of tactical nuclear weapons are vulnerable to air defense systems, other means of delivering tactical charges are being considered.
In addition to the adoption of the V61-12 high-precision glide bomb, which should replace most of the tactical and strategic bombs of the B61 family, UGM-133A Trident II submarine ballistic missiles with W76-2 warheads have been put on combat duty, the power of which has been reduced from 100 to 5– 6 ct.
There is information that, thanks to the introduction of new navigation equipment, the CEP of the W76-2 warheads has decreased several times compared to the original version of the W76, which allows them to be used for "surgical" strikes, both for strategic and tactical purposes.
In the American media, the topic of using low-yield charges against the DPRK and Iran has been repeatedly discussed.
Currently, the United States is developing a small-sized low-yield thermonuclear warhead (without a thermonuclear charge) designed for the next generation cruise missile.
A number of experts believe that new operational-tactical missiles developed as part of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM - Precision Strike Missile) program can be equipped with a compact nuclear charge.
The firing range of the OTP PrSM can exceed 550 km, according to some estimates, it will reach 700–750 km.