The United States has released the first serial sample of its upgraded B61-12 atomic bomb. This is reported by TASS With reference to the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) under the US Department of Energy.
It is specified that the sample was produced on November 23.
The upgraded warhead will replace three modifications of the B61-3, B61-4 and B61-7 ammunition B61, adopted in 1968. As noted in the department, as a result of modernization, the duration of the bomb in service will increase by at least 20 years. Full-scale serial production is planned to begin in May 2022, and the completion of production of all necessary nuclear warheads will be in the 2026 fiscal year.
The new atomic bomb will also be distinguished by the absence of a parachute and the presence of a new tail section with an inertial guidance system, which increases the accuracy of application.
At the end of November, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the US Air Force had worked out a possible nuclear strike on Russian territory. According to him, ten strategic bombers have worked out the use of nuclear weapons from two directions.
On October 6, The Drive reported on the testing of the B61-12 nuclear bomb in the United States. The fifth-generation F-35 Lightning fighter-bomber dropped a mock bomb at the Tonopah training ground in Nevada.
Marina Sovina