🇺🇸 U.S. Unveils New Nuclear Bomb With 360,000-Ton TNT Equivalent Yield
The United States has completed production of the first B61-13 nuclear bomb—its most powerful gravity bomb in decades—with a yield estimated at up to 360 kilotons of TNT. The weapon will be exclusively deployed on stealth bombers, marking a significant upgrade to America's nuclear deterrent.
The Department of Energy (DOE) announced on May 19 that the Pantex Plant in Texas had delivered the first B61-13 bomb, more than a year ahead of schedule. "This milestone reflects our commitment to maintaining a safe, secure, and reliable nuclear deterrent," the agency said in a statement.
The B61-13 is not an entirely new weapon, but rather a modernized version built using recycled components from older bombs. It incorporates the latest safety, security, and precision features—similar to those in the recent B61-12 variant—but delivers significantly higher destructive power.
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which oversees nuclear weapons programs under the DOE, confirmed that the bomb's maximum yield rivals that of the older B61-7, estimated between 340,000 and 360,000 tons of TNT. In contrast, the B61-12 has a maximum yield of approximately 50 kilotons.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright praised the project as a testament to American science and engineering. "The rapid production of the B61-13 shows the extraordinary skill of our workforce and highlights the urgent need to strengthen our nuclear deterrent in line with President Trump's 'peace through strength' strategy," he said.
While the U.S. did not develop new warheads for the B61-13, it repurposed existing nuclear components. The cost of each bomb has not been disclosed, but its predecessor, the B61-12, weighed around 320 kilograms and cost $28 million per unit—more expensive than its weight in gold when the program began.
Images released by the DOE show the B61-13 shares the same exterior design as the B61-12, including a tail-mounted inertial guidance system that enhances accuracy. The new variant, however, is designed for greater penetration capability, enabling it to strike hardened underground targets and wide-area installations more effectively.
Unlike the B61-12, which can be deployed by NATO allies under the nuclear sharing agreement, the B61-13 is strictly reserved for the U.S. military. It will only be integrated into stealth bombers such as the B-2 Spirit and the upcoming B-21 Raider, and will not be compatible with fighter jets like the F-15E or F-35A.
The Pentagon first announced plans for the B61-13 in 2023 as a direct replacement for the aging B61-7 bombs. Although the original strategy was to consolidate several B61 variants (B61-3, -4, and -7) into the B61-12, that production program concluded in December 2024, prompting the launch of the B61-13 initiative.
(Source: The War Zone)
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