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US Accelerates Production of B61-13 Nuclear Warhead by Seven Months

The advanced 360-kiloton bomb, 24 times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb, is being fast-tracked in response to rising global security threats.

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An engineer makes connections on the first B61-13 joint test assembly. Production of the B61-13 bomb is seven months ahead of schedule. (Photo/Sandia.gov)

Overview

  • The B61-13 nuclear warhead is now in full-scale production, seven months ahead of schedule, as confirmed by Sandia National Laboratories.
  • The 360-kiloton bomb is designed to replace aging weapons and strengthen the US nuclear deterrent against emerging threats.
  • Innovative program planning and collaboration with stakeholders like the US Air Force and Los Alamos National Laboratory enabled the accelerated timeline.
  • The decision to expedite production reflects a response to urgent global security challenges and a changing strategic environment.
  • The B61-13 offers greater flexibility in targeting, providing the president with advanced options against harder and larger military targets.