Upgraded B61-Mod 12 Nuclear Bomb Ready for F-35, B-2, B-21

By Kris Osborn, President, Center for Military Modernization

On December 18, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration completed the Last Production Unit of the B61-12 Life Extension Program, a modernization effort designed to streamline different variants of the weapon into a single bomb.

B61-12

The weapon is a new variant of a nuclear bomb that first emerged in 1968, which includes increased safety and reliability along with a significantly streamlined mission envelope. 

The B61-12 consolidated the attack functionality of multiple previous B61s to include Mods 3,4,7 and 11. Each of these previous variants, which still exist, perform a specific attack function such as an earth penetrating strike, low or high-yield attack and area detonation capability. With the B61-12, all of these missions are integrated into a single, adjustable or tailorable nuclear weapon. This allows aircraft to tailor specific effects and carry more bomb possibilities on a single attack mission.

Along with the F-35A, the weapon will arm the B-2 and emerging new B-21 Raider stealth bomber, offering low-yield, high-yield, bunker buster and above ground “area” attacks in a single bomb for crews. It is certainly by no means surprising that stealth bombers will operate with the weapon, but what would a nuclear-armed F-35 bring to a tactical equation in war?

A B-2 could certainly hold an enemy at risk of nuclear attack, yet it might not have the maneuverability and lower-altitude speed to bring the possibility of a nuclear strike more directly into an ongoing air combat war with enemy aircraft, maneuvering ground forces or newly arriving intelligence information with updated targets.

F-35

There are certainly a number of variables to consider, as a high-speed, lower altitude maneuvering nuclear threat such as that presented by an F-35, would introduce new dilemmas for an enemy. 

Perhaps target information changes quickly or enemy assets are on the move? A maneuvering, lower-altitude yet nuclear-capable F-35 brings an ability to hold more targets at risk under a wider range of tactical contingencies.