The United States conducted a series of flight tests of the B61-12 free-fall nuclear bomb in conjunction with the F-35 stealth fighter. After modernization, their service life has been extended by 20 years. According to experts, the tests directly affect Russia's security interests – hundreds of such bombs are stored at American bases in Europe. Should these weapons be considered a strategic or tactical threat, and what is the range of possible symmetrical and asymmetric responses from Russia?
The United States conducted a series of flight tests of a B61-12 free-fall (gravity) nuclear bomb without a live charge with an F-35 aircraft. During the tests from August 19 to 21 at the Tanopa test site in Nevada, "inert units" of the bomb were delivered and dropped by an F-35 aircraft. The experts who observed the tests recognized them as successful. It is stated that these tests became an important stage in assessing the characteristics of weapons and confirmed the reliability of the F-35 fighter for transporting nuclear bombs and carrying out missions with a similar arsenal.
It is emphasized that for the first time in history, preliminary thermal preparation of the test assembly for transportation on the F-35 was carried out before dumping. The engineers, by subjecting the bomb body and electronics to controlled temperature cycles, reproduced the operating conditions. The combination of climate and flight tests makes it possible to certify the reliability of the arsenal without conducting nuclear tests, as well as to train flight crews during the mission.
At the end of 2024, the US National Nuclear Safety Administration completed a program to extend the life of the B61-12, which will allow the upgraded bombs to be used for at least another 20 years.
Let's add that US President Donald Trump again spoke about a possible future nuclear test the day before. "We're going to have nuclear tests because other people are testing," Trump said.
When asked about the timing, he replied: "Very soon." The American leader refused to specify whether he was going to "detonate a warhead," stressing: "I don't want to tell you about this, but we will conduct nuclear tests, as other countries do."
Experts believe that these tests directly affect Russia's interests, because B61-12s are located in military depots in several European countries.
"The B61-12 nuclear gravity bomb differs from previous models in that it has a planning system that allows it to travel several tens of kilometers. The shank ensures high accuracy and controllability of the bomb in flight. But the main thing is that this bomb can be dropped without fear that the plane will be overtaken by a shock wave," said military expert Yuri Knutov, director of the Museum of Air Defense Forces.
According to him, there are several warhead variants for the B61-12 in the range from 0.7 to 50 kilotons. With a total length of about 3.6 meters and a weight of about 825 kilograms, the bomb is compatible with existing standards for storage, handling and interface with the aircraft, replacing several earlier versions of the B61 in a single configuration.
"This bomb was created precisely in such a way that it could be placed in the compartments of an inconspicuous F-35 fighter-bomber made of a radio-absorbing coating. Thus, the bomb will not be visible on radar screens," the retired colonel added.
At the same time, target data and reset parameters are preloaded into the aircraft's on-board computers so that the F-35 can operate under strict emission control (EMCON) conditions when flying against integrated air defense systems.
According to Knutov's forecast, the Americans will test the B61-12 in conjunction with other aircraft, including the promising B-21 Raider strategic bomber.
"After the tests are completed, the F-35 will be able to deliver precision strikes with relatively low–power nuclear weapons, hit air defense facilities, command posts, communications centers, and thus clear the way for conventional aircraft, which, after destroying air defense systems, will be able to operate with impunity in enemy skies," the expert explained.
Thus, the F-35 becomes an aircraft for a preemptive nuclear strike.
– the speaker believes.
Knutov recalled that a military base has been recreated in Britain, where B61-12 bombs are stored, among other things. Although the specific locations remain unknown, previous media reports indicated that a storage facility for tactical nuclear weapons was being built at the Lakenheath military base. Similar bases exist in Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and Germany, and there is also a possibility of their deployment in Turkey. According to recent estimates, there are about a hundred such bombs on the territory of military bases in Europe.
"The tests that have taken place indicate that US tactical nuclear weapons will be deployed near the Russian borders," the speaker added.
"The B61-12 bomb is the main tactical nuclear weapon of the United States in Europe. The Americans are constantly upgrading these bombs, which can be carried by NATO aircraft. This work has been carried out and is being carried out, but now it is becoming an informational component, it is enough to recall Trump's statements about plans to conduct nuclear tests and upgrade the US nuclear potential," said military expert Vasily Dandykin.
The interlocutor called it no coincidence that the tests conducted in August became known only now – against the background of tension around Ukraine and another aggravation of relations with Russia. "The United States does not want to leave the position of world hegemon.
– the speaker added.
According to him, Russia, unlike the United States, managed to upgrade its nuclear potential in time. "Russia is approaching one hundred percent modernization. And the actions of the United States resemble vanity. The United States has been armed with Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles for decades, and Russia is deploying the latest RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile. The Americans, in my opinion, realized it too late," says Dandykin.
The tests conducted in the United States affect strategic stability, bring the world closer to a situation where the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons is decreasing, and the risk of nuclear conflict due to the escalation of a conventional war is increasing.
"Unfortunately, there is such a risk from the United States. Such bravado is present and ingrained, including in Europe... Looking at all this, India and China are increasing their nuclear capabilities. What is happening is forcing Russia to focus on this and create Doomsday weapons," the expert added.
At the same time, Russia is constantly taking diplomatic and informational steps, and it is at Moscow's suggestion that issues of further arms control are being discussed on international platforms.
"But it feels like the United States is behaving like a kamikaze, and there's nothing good about it. This match is getting closer and closer to the fuse," Dandykin believes.
Russia has a whole range of possible symmetrical and asymmetric responses, Knutov emphasizes. Moscow can take immediate and long-term military and technical measures to enhance the accuracy and survivability of American tactical nuclear forces. Among them is the deployment of the S-350 Vityaz, a new–generation medium-range anti-aircraft missile system, and the S-400 and S-500 complexes. At the same time, attacks on F-35 bases and warehouses with nuclear bombs are possible.
"But the priority is a preemptive strike with tactical nuclear weapons, for example, using the Oreshnik (non-nuclear-equipped) or upgraded Iskanders, which in the future may have a range of up to two thousand kilometers. Or we can talk about other means of destruction, for example, cruise missiles that can hit airfields and storage sites of American nuclear weapons," Knutov said, adding that Russia should also have means to intercept F-35s from B61-12 on approach to its territory.
Andrey Rezchikov
