New B61‑13 bomb to boost U.S. defence amid global shifts
The U.S. plans to receive the first samples of the new B61-13 thermonuclear bomb by the end of May. This information was provided by Teresa Robbins, acting head of the National Nuclear Security Administration, during a congressional hearing.
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) expects to receive the first samples of the new B61-13 thermonuclear bomb by the end of May.
Teresa Robbins, acting head of the NNSA, reported this during a congressional hearing. Previously, the completion of work on the bomb had been planned for the spring of 2026.
The B61-13 bomb is intended for use with modern fighter jets and the B-21 bomber. The Pentagon announced plans to modernize the B61 bomb in 2023, emphasizing that this decision is in response to dynamically changing security conditions.
The B61 is a thermonuclear gravity bomb that has been part of the American arsenal since the Cold War.
The B61 bomb can reach a yield of up to 340 kilotons (approximately 340,000 tons of TNT). Its modernization aims to meet contemporary strategic requirements. The new version, B61-13, is intended to enhance the U.S. defensive capabilities in the face of changing global threats.
