The Department of Defense (DoD) announced on Friday that it has decided to pursue the development and production of a modern variant of the B61 nuclear gravity bomb, dubbed the B61-13.
The new bomb is intended to respond to “demands of a rapidly evolving security environment,” as described in the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review.
John Plumb, assistant secretary of defense for space policy, said: “Today’s announcement is reflective of a changing security environment and growing threats from potential adversaries.
The United States has responsibility to continue to assess and field the capabilities we need to credibly deter and, if necessary, respond to strategic attacks, and assure our allies.”
A fact sheet included with the DoD statement detailed some features that would be incorporated into the B61-13. It states that its maximum yield will be approximately 360 kilotons – 24 times larger than the 15-kiloton bomb dropped on Hiroshima during World War II.
This yield should enhance both deterrence and assurance by denying adversaries sanctuary from attack. For this proposal to move forward, it must receive approval from Congress before any construction can begin.
The fact sheet suggested that the B61-13 would provide additional options for targeting harder and larger military targets, while the Department works to deactivate legacy systems such as the B83-1 and B61-7.
It is important to note that implementing the use of the B61-13 will not lead to an increase in total U.S. weapons stockpile, as the number of produced B61-12s will be reduced by an equivalent amount of produced B61-13s.
As global tensions have risen, with conflict occurring in Ukraine and throughout the Middle East, questions have arisen concerning whether these destructive weapons are intended only for deterrence and assurance purposes or if they may be used against opponents.
To address this issue, non-explosive nuclear experiments are set to take place in Nevada, known colloquially as “tickling the dragon’s tail.”
Corey Hinderstein, Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation at National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), has described these experiments as a means to further US nuclear nonproliferation goals.
According to Hinderstein, conducting these tests would aid in detecting underground nuclear explosive tests which could ultimately reduce global nuclear threats.
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10 Responses
Well, we still have the 1.2 megaton bomb.
I certainly hope they don’t ask President Oatmeal Brains for approval.
The “Headlines” says that they “Have” a new bomb. The “Story” says that they are ” Pursuing” to develop the bomb….. Make up your mind.
The title? Pure stupidity. The Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs were under 20 Kilo (thousand) tons in explosive power. Many of our modern nukes are in the 1 Mega (million) tons in explosive power (Atomic vs Hydrogen). That’s an increase by a magnitude (like the difference between 1 and 2 on the Richter scale). And nuclear weapons are not infinite in their life span. Radioactive decay causes them to lose power over time. What was 10 Kilotons when built might be only 6 or 7 by now. They will have to replaced eventually to maintain the Nuclear Deterrent at optimum levels. Remeber Chamberlain; This treaty grants us peace in our time. :>
It doesn’t matter how big a yield. Once one nuclear weapon is set off anywhere in the world nukes will come from all over. Kiss your ass goodbye.
BS, their weapons will never make it to their destination. The USA has proven they can stop anything coming our way.
Unless it is from all the terrorists Biden has already allowed into the country
On March 24, 1967, an unidentified object hovering over the front gate of Malmstrom AFB in Montana shut down the operating power and controls of all 10 ICBMs without affecting the power of the rest of the base. So we don’t even know if who, or whatever did that will LET us launch Nuclear missiles.
looks like they forgot the saddle so the idiots that star wars can ride it in for the big bang! Instead of hiding in their bunker paid for by you!
WHY IN HELL IS OUR MILITARY FLAUNTING A BIGGER MORE POWERFUL BOMB? HAVE WE BECOME A NATION OF GREEDY WARMONGERS? NODY SEEMS TO CARE THAT JOE BIDEN IS A TRAITOR, AND HE AND HIS”SHADOW PRESIDENT’ / “OBAMA”, ARE KILLING WHAT’S LEFT OF AMERICA, WITH NARY A FIGHT FORM THE GOP NOT THE SUPREME COURT, OR ANYBODY ELSE AMERICA, RIGHT NOW IS A DISGRACE TO HUMANITY, THANKS TO THE DEMORAT PARTY, AND THE RINOS WITHIN THE GOP.
THE GOP HAS HAD MANY CHANCES TO STOP THE DEMORATS BY DEFUNDING EVERYTHING THAT MOVES WITHIN THEIR PARTY, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE GOP JUST CAN’T GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER, MUST BE A LOT OF THEM WITHIN THAT WORRY ABOUT BEING CAUGHT, WITH THEIR HANDS IN THE COOKIE JAR???
UNBELIEVABLE! THIS MORNINGS PICTURE ON THE INTERNET, OUR OWN GOVERNMENT SENDING IN A BLLDOZER TO LIFT UP THE BARBED WIRE, TO LET THE ILLEGALS POUR IN, AND NOBODY IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IS OUR LAX IGNORANT BORDER PATROL “NUMB”, OR JUST PLAIN “DUMB”? DID THEY NOT TAKE AN OATH, TO KEEP AMERICA FREE FROM HARM??? WTF???