In a major milestone for U.S. nuclear weapons modernization, the Department of Energy announced Monday that the first B61-13 gravity bomb has been successfully manufactured—nearly a year ahead of schedule.
Speaking at the Pantex Plant, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright emphasized the significance of the development.
“The remarkable speed of the B61-13’s production is a testament to the ingenuity of our scientists and engineers and the urgency we face to fortify deterrence in a volatile new age,” Wright said, calling the weapon a symbol of “American strength” in an increasingly unpredictable world.
The B61-13 is the latest upgrade to the long-serving B61 family, a series of nuclear bombs first developed in the 1960s. Unlike its predecessors, the B61-13 will be carried only by long-range strategic bombers and deployed from bases within the continental U.S.
According to the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the new bomb includes modern safety, security, and accuracy features introduced in the B61-12, but with an added punch—it’s designed to target and destroy hardened or wide-area military installations.
A Fast-Tracked Weapon for a Fast-Changing World
The speed of the B61-13’s production is notable. The weapon was assembled less than two years after the program was announced, making it one of the fastest nuclear weapons programs since the Cold War.
Officials credit decades of data on earlier B61 designs and close coordination with the U.S. Air Force for allowing engineers to move quickly without compromising safety. By combining or eliminating certain testing and design steps, the team was able to shave months off the timeline.
David Hoagland, acting deputy administrator for defense programs, called the achievement “remarkable” and said the same fast-track strategies could benefit future weapons programs.
Why This Matters
The B61-13 is just one of seven nuclear warhead modernization efforts underway. Together, these programs aim to keep the U.S. nuclear arsenal safe, effective, and credible as a deterrent.
This development comes amid growing global tensions and heightened concerns about nuclear threats from nations like Russia, China, and North Korea.
While the new bomb does not represent an increase in the total number of U.S. nuclear weapons, it does provide more targeting options for the President—especially against hard-to-reach military sites.
Looking Ahead
The Department of Defense and NNSA plan to continue collaboration to further refine tools and strategies for neutralizing hard and deeply buried targets. Officials say this kind of forward-looking innovation will be essential as the U.S. adapts to emerging threats.
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