The US managed to drop the F-35 ‘tactical nuclear bomb’ …

Last August (local time), the B61-12 tactical nuclear bomb mounted on the F-35A Lightning 2 stealth fighter was dropped at the test site in Tonopa, Nevada, USA. Video screenshot

The US Institute for Nuclear Research reported on the 23rd (local time) that the US Institute for Nuclear Research first achieved an experiment to drop a tactical nuclear bomb from the internal bomb window of a fighter F-35. This is the first time that a tactical nuclear bomb has been dropped from a fighter that flies at the speed of sound.

The Sandia National Research Institute, one of the three largest nuclear weapons development organizations in the United States, announced in a press release on the day that “the first suitability test of the tactical nuclear bomb was successfully carried out. B61-12 low-power engine mounted on the F-35A Lightning 2 “stealth fighter.

According to a video released by the institute, an F-35 stealth fighter opens a storage door beneath its body and drops an aerodynamic bomb. The bomb blasts gas from side to side with a bright flash, then hits the ground while spinning 360 degrees in a spiral like a flying bullet.

The B61-12 is one of the key targets of the US nuclear weapons modernization plan, and it is being mass-produced, being evaluated to be able to arbitrarily control the intensity of the blast with up to 50 kt of explosive power. VOA explained that it was designed to hit targets deep underground and is also called a ‘nuclear bunker buster’.

The experiment was conducted on August 25 at the Tonopa test site in Nevada, USA. Sandia National Laboratory explained that it took around 42 seconds to drop the B61-12 with its nuclear warhead removed from 1,500 feet (approximately 3.2 km).

Additionally, this test is the first step towards perfect weapon performance certification, and he plans to continue the relevant compliance testing without slowing the spread of the new coronavirus (Corona 19) infection. In particular, he emphasized that the installation of the B61-12 on the F-35A fighter would also play a huge role in the overall deterrence of the United States and the alliance.

“What sets this experiment apart from the suitability tests of other fighters we completed previously is the speed of flight and the method of delivery,” said Brian Adkins, Tonopa manager of the test site. This is explained to be the first experiment to drop the B61-12 from the internal bomb window of a fighter flying at a speed of Mach 1 or higher.

A US Air Force B-2 stealth bomber is receiving aerial refueling from a British Air Force aerial tanker. [미 공군]

Previously, the Sandia National Research Institute successfully completed the final fitness test certification, the final stage just before the actual deployment of the F15E fighter and the B-2 Spirit strategic bomber, in March and July, respectively.

“What sets this experiment apart from the suitability tests of other fighters we completed before is the speed of flight and the method of delivery of the fighters,” said Brian Adkins, Tonopa test site manager.

The VOA explained that it was the first test to drop the B61-12 from the internal bomb of a fighter flying at Mach 1 or higher. Mach 1 is the same as the speed of movement of sound in air, and the speed of sound transmission is considered to be 340 m per second in an environment of generally 15 degrees Celsius and 1 atmosphere.

“The F-35 is designed to prevent enemy country radar from detecting movement by having a bomb window inside the fuselage to reduce the reflective area,” said Bruce Bennett, principal investigator at the Rand R&D Center. It is of great importance that it is mounted in the window of the bomb inside the fuselage to test the real capacity of delivery. ”

The VOA explained that the stealth function of the F-35 fighter could be used to ensure more covert tactical nuclear weapons projection capabilities. It was also said that the success of the tua at a speed greater than the speed of sound meant that the pump was verified successfully.

Additionally, American experts said North Korea is also estimating that B61-12 is specialized in targeting underground facilities while emitting relatively little radioactivity.

The strategic commander of the United States Department of Defense, Charles Richard, attended the Senate Military Committee in September and mentioned China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, emphasizing the importance of modernizing low-power nuclear bombs such as the B61- 12.

Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Missile Defense at the Pentagon, Robert Super, said that the United States’ nuclear strategy focused on developing low-power nuclear warheads as an alternative for adversary countries to abandon the expansion of nuclear weapons. tensions, as the threat of all-out nuclear war can no longer prevent escalation. He said that.

Reporter Bae Jae-seong [email protected]