Breaking News: U.S. Speeds Up Nuclear Modernization with New B61-13 Bomb for Large and Hardened Military Targets.

The United States has reached a critical milestone in its nuclear modernization efforts with the early completion of the first B61-13 gravity bomb, according to an announcement made on May 19, 2025, by U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas. This marks a significant achievement for the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), which managed to produce the first unit nearly a year ahead of schedule, making the B61-13 one of the fastest-developed and fielded nuclear weapons since the Cold War.
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U.S. Secretary Wright joins key leaders from the Nuclear Security Enterprise to commemorate the successful completion of the first B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb unit. (Picture source: U.S. Department of Energy)

The B61 family of U.S. nuclear bombs has a long and significant history, dating back to the early 1960s. Originally developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory, the B61 was designed to be a highly versatile tactical and strategic nuclear weapon. Since its introduction, the weapon has undergone numerous modifications to meet changing military requirements and leverage advances in nuclear design. Variants such as the B61-3, B61-4, and B61-7 introduced diverse yield options and compatibility with different delivery platforms. One of the most critical transformations came with the B61-12, which brought modern safety mechanisms and precision guidance, making the bomb significantly more accurate. The newly unveiled B61-13 builds upon this foundation but introduces additional capabilities aimed at countering more challenging military targets.

A gravity bomb like the B61 is an unguided, free-fall weapon delivered by aircraft, relying on gravity and ballistic trajectory rather than propulsion. Gravity bombs are deployed from strategic altitudes and do not possess their own guidance systems unless modified, as in the case of the B61-12 and B61-13, which feature tail kits for enhanced targeting accuracy. This type of nuclear weapon remains central to the air leg of the U.S. nuclear triad, due to its reliability, design simplicity, and strategic flexibility.

The B61-13 represents a significant leap forward by offering a higher-yield warhead, believed to match or approximate the yield of the older B61-7 at around 360 kilotons, compared to the B61-12’s maximum of about 50 kilotons. This enhanced yield allows the B61-13 to target and destroy fortified military facilities, deeply buried bunkers, and wide-area objectives that previous versions could not address as effectively. It also carries the same advanced safety, security, and accuracy features developed for the B61-12, including modern arming, fuzing, and command systems that enhance reliability while minimizing the risk of unauthorized use or accidental detonation.

Unlike the B61-12, which was designed for use on both tactical fighters and strategic bombers, the B61-13 is exclusively intended for strategic bombers such as the B-2A Spirit and, in the future, the B-21 Raider. These platforms provide the necessary range, payload, and stealth characteristics to deploy the B61-13 in high-threat environments. The bomb will not be certified for use on dual-capable fighter aircraft such as the F-16 or F-35.

The decision to continue developing nuclear weapons like the B61-13 is deeply rooted in the geopolitical context of nuclear deterrence. As global security threats evolve, with nations such as Russia and China expanding their strategic arsenals and modernizing delivery systems, the U.S. sees a credible and flexible nuclear force as vital to preserving strategic stability and deterring aggression. Furthermore, the emergence of hard and deeply buried targets, such as underground military command centers and weapons depots, requires warheads with specific yields and penetration capabilities that older bombs cannot provide.

Maintaining and modernizing the nuclear stockpile is also necessary due to the aging of existing weapons and components. Most of the current U.S. arsenal was designed and built during the Cold War. Without new production and updated designs, the reliability and safety of these weapons could deteriorate over time. The B61-13 is one of seven warhead modernization programs under way, each contributing to a balanced and secure nuclear deterrent.

In this strategic context, the early delivery of the B61-13 not only showcases the technical capabilities of the DOE/NNSA and its national laboratories, but also signals American resolve. As Secretary Wright stated, the achievement "signals American strength to our adversaries and allies alike," reinforcing deterrence and ensuring that the United States remains ready to meet modern threats with a credible and effective nuclear response.