The US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has announced the completion of the development of the first nuclear gravity bomb, the B61-13, at the Pantex plant in Texas, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced.
The B61 gravity nuclear bomb family has been in service with the US since 1968 and is deployed at US Air Force and NATO bases. The new gravity bomb is designed to destroy heavily fortified underground military targets, such as command posts. The B61-13 will be carried by the US B-21 Raider strategic bomber.
The B61-13 is based on the previous B61-12 model, but has a significantly higher maximum yield. The development of the B61-13 will not increase the total US nuclear arsenal, as production of the B61-12 will be reduced at the same time. The new bomb is equipped with modern safety, protection and precision systems. According to official data, its yield corresponds to the B61-7 model, which it will replace in the US arsenal, and is between 340 and 360 kilotons, which is significantly higher than the B61-12's yield of 50 kilotons.
Pantex, a nuclear weapons assembly, disassembly and modernization plant, has completed the production of the first B61-13 production unit a year ahead of schedule. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the achievement was a response to growing global security challenges. He said the successful production of the first unit was a "signal of strength" to both US allies and adversaries. The new weapons should strengthen the US nuclear deterrent.