US completes new nuclear bomb year ahead of schedule
The new nuke is 24 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
By Dean Murray
The United States has completed its new nuclear bomb, nearly a year ahead of schedule.
The B61-13 weapon features a maximum yield of 360 kilotons - 24 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
The first unit was unveiled on Monday (May 19) in Amarillo, Texas, by U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.
He said: "Modernising America’s nuclear stockpile is essential to delivering President Trump’s peace through strength agenda.
"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.
"This achievement signals American strength to our adversaries and allies alike."
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) said: "The B61-13 will provide the President with additional nuclear options against certain harder and large-area military targets; separately, the Department of Defense will coordinate with NNSA to complete and implement a comprehensive strategy for the defeat of hard and deeply buried targets."
The B61-13 is one of the most rapidly developed and fielded weapons since the Cold War.
The NNSA allocated $92 million over four years for development, with original production expected to begin in fiscal year 2026.
The bomb will be deployable by strategic aircraft such as the upcoming B-21 Raider stealth bomber and possibly the retiring B-2 Spirit.
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