US Air Force B61-12 Tactical Nuclear Bomb: Exercises and Deployment
B61-12 bombs in the compartments of an F-35A aircraft, August 2025.
Several years ago, the US Air Force received a modernized tactical nuclear bomb B61 Mod. 12. This product is being mass-produced and is entering the arsenals of combat aviationIn addition, the new bombs are regularly used in various exercises and tests. These latest events confirm the Air Force's readiness for operation. weapons, took place at the end of summer and were successful.
On the ground and in the air
For obvious reasons, not all training and test events should be publicly announced in advance or reported immediately after their completion. For example, exercises using the new B61-12 tactical nuclear bombs took place in the second half of August. However, information about them was only disclosed now—three months later.
The exercises reportedly began on August 19 and lasted three days. They were held at the Tonopah Test Range in Nevada. Personnel and equipment from an unnamed air unit based at Hilley Air Force Base in Utah played a leading role in the exercise. Specialists from Sandia National Laboratories and the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration also participated.
Under real military conditions, Air Force, SNL, and NUYaB specialists prepared three serial B61-12 inert bombs for use. This marked the first time in the service history of the new bombs that a full preparation cycle was completed. Specifically, the munitions were transported in containers with a system maintaining optimal temperature and humidity.
Working with bombs
The bombs were then suspended from the internal racks of an F-35A aircraft from a combat aviation unit. The fighter, carrying its payload, carried out scheduled sorties at the range. Test drops were also conducted. The number of bombs used in this part of the exercise is not reported. The published materials show only one munition impact on the target field.
Sandia National Laboratories reports the successful completion of all training and testing activities. Personnel demonstrated the necessary skills and abilities in handling special munitions. The operability of all support equipment and other systems was also confirmed.
F-35 aircraft have previously been used repeatedly in flight development tests of the new B61 bomb modification. During the August exercises, a combat fighter was used as a carrier, and no difficulties or problems were encountered.
New modification
It's worth recalling that the latest, 12th, modification of the B61 tactical thermonuclear bomb was developed in the first half of the last decade. The goal of this project was to refine existing munitions to extend their service life and optimize their performance. Furthermore, the bomb needed to be brought into line with current Pentagon policy.
The Mod. 12 upgrade called for reducing the warhead's yield to 50 kilotons of TNT equivalent. A new tail section with a guidance system using satellite or inertial navigation was also to be developed. The increased accuracy was expected to reduce the required warhead yield.
A moment before hitting the target
The first experimental B61 Mod. 12 aerial bomb was manufactured in 2015, and the first test drop took place shortly after. The device, complete with a full suite of electronics and an inert warhead, confirmed its design characteristics. Several similar tests were subsequently conducted. Flight development testing involving Air Force aircraft continued until the early 1920s.
In 2020-21, the Pentagon and the Department of Energy completed the necessary bureaucratic procedures, after which bomb production and delivery to Air Force depots began. It's worth noting that all new B61-12s are manufactured by remanufacturing older units. While they incorporate new design elements and electronics, the existing warheads are retained.
In the process of deployment
In 2022-23, new-modification bombs began to be delivered to various air bases. According to available information, they were initially sent to facilities in the continental United States. Later, by early 2024, the first reports emerged of the imminent arrival of B61-12s at European bases.
Subsequently, various unofficial sources reported the delivery of ammunition to the UK, Germany, and other European countries. In some cases, significant quantities of weapons were involved. However, the US has not yet officially confirmed such a deployment, although it has not denied such intentions.
Late last year, the National Security Agency and the Pentagon established service life for new bombs remanufactured from older models. The new B61 Mod. 12 bombs will remain in the arsenal for the next 20 years.
During flight tests, the B61-12 bomb was used by various types of carrier aircraft. These aircraft then underwent the necessary certification, after which operational squadrons received the appropriate approvals. The munitions can be used by later modifications of the F-15 and F-16 fighters, as well as the modern F-35A. There are known plans to integrate the B61-12 into the munitions loadout of German Tornado fighters.
For obvious reasons, official information on the locations and numbers of deployed B61-12 bombs is unavailable. According to various estimates, there may be around a hundred B61-series munitions at several European bases. The proportion of the latest modifications is questionable.
Tactical role
All major versions of the B61 bomb are classified as tactical air-launched weapons. They are designed for use by fighter-bombers in combat missions directly on the battlefield or in close quarters behind enemy lines.
It's worth noting that work is currently underway on a new version of the bomb, designated Mod. 13. It is already known that it will be adapted for use by the next-generation B-21 Raider strategic bombers. However, tactical aircraft will not be able to use this type of bomb. However, transferring the tactical bomb to a strategic bomber will not fundamentally change the missions it can perform.
The B61-12, like its previous modifications, is designed to destroy troop concentrations, strongholds, command and control structures, positions of various systems and complexes, and other tactical-level targets. Such strikes are intended to benefit troop groups operating at the front.
The Pentagon views the B61-12 tactical nuclear bomb not only as a strike weapon but also as a deterrent. It is believed that, given the scale of a modern conflict, even such a munition would be of great importance and would discourage a potential adversary from making rash decisions.
The fundamental possibility of using the B61 Mod. 12 bomb in deterrence processes makes it a political tool. Apparently, this is the reason why plans are being made to deploy the munitions at European bases, aircraft and infrastructure are being prepared, and other measures are being taken.
All these processes should be viewed as one way to exert military and political pressure on Russia from a strategic Western direction. In the current international situation, such pressure is particularly important—it should help the US and NATO resolve a number of accumulated problems.
Technology and Politics
Thus, the United States is, to the best of its ability, developing its nuclear arsenals across all categories. In recent years, increased attention has been paid to tactical-level air-launched weapons. The B61-12 was recently adopted, and work is currently underway on the next modification, the Mod. 13.
Current projects result in the development of new types of ammunition and their subsequent introduction into the arsenals of combat units. However, the primary goal of all these developments is to develop new military tools for exerting political pressure on a potential adversary. How effective such a tool is is a complex question.
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