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F-15E Tests Upgraded B61 Nuclear Bomb

The Air Force and the National Nuclear Security Administration have successfully tested B61-12 gravity bombs on F-15E Strike Eagles. On Aug. 8, two F-15Es dropped non-nuclear test versions of the upgraded bombs at Tonopah Test Range near Nellis AFB, Nev. The B61-12 will replace older versions of the B61 air-dropped nuclear bomb, and will be carried on aircraft such as the B-2, B-21, and F-35. Earlier this year, an F-16C dropped a test assembly to evaluate the bomb’s arming and fire control system, radar altimeter, spin rocket motors, and weapons control computer. The Aug. 8 tests focused on the weapon’s non-nuclear functions and the Strike Eagle’s ability to drop the bomb, according to an NNSA release. The tests are part of a three-year process to evaluate the bomb for service. The first production unit is expected in March 2020. —Brian Everstine

<blockquote data-quote="bobbymike" data-source="post: 313028" data-attributes="member: 2901">F-15E Tests Upgraded B61 Nuclear BombThe Air Force and the National Nuclear Security Administration have successfully tested B61-12 gravity bombs on F-15E Strike Eagles. On Aug. 8, two F-15Es dropped non-nuclear test versions of the upgraded bombs at Tonopah Test Range near Nellis AFB, Nev. The B61-12 will replace older versions of the B61 air-dropped nuclear bomb, and will be carried on aircraft such as the B-2, B-21, and F-35. Earlier this year, an F-16C dropped a test assembly to evaluate the bomb’s arming and fire control system, radar altimeter, spin rocket motors, and weapons control computer. The Aug. 8 tests focused on the weapon’s non-nuclear functions and the Strike Eagle’s ability to drop the bomb, according to an NNSA release. The tests are part of a three-year process to evaluate the bomb for service. The first production unit is expected in March 2020. —Brian Everstine</blockquote>

[QUOTE="bobbymike, post: 313028, member: 2901"] F-15E Tests Upgraded B61 Nuclear Bomb The Air Force and the National Nuclear Security Administration have successfully tested B61-12 gravity bombs on F-15E Strike Eagles. On Aug. 8, two F-15Es dropped non-nuclear test versions of the upgraded bombs at Tonopah Test Range near Nellis AFB, Nev. The B61-12 will replace older versions of the B61 air-dropped nuclear bomb, and will be carried on aircraft such as the B-2, B-21, and F-35. Earlier this year, an F-16C dropped a test assembly to evaluate the bomb’s arming and fire control system, radar altimeter, spin rocket motors, and weapons control computer. The Aug. 8 tests focused on the weapon’s non-nuclear functions and the Strike Eagle’s ability to drop the bomb, according to an NNSA release. The tests are part of a three-year process to evaluate the bomb for service. The first production unit is expected in March 2020. —Brian Everstine [/QUOTE]

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