The Nuclear Test Brings the U.S. Back to the Cold War Era
The United States has completed a series of flight tests involving the B61-12 free-fall nuclear bomb paired with the F-35 stealth fighter jet. After modernization, the service life of this type of nuclear bomb has been extended by 20 years. Experts point out that these tests are directly related to Russia's security interests — currently, hundreds of such nuclear bombs are stored in U.S. military bases in Europe. Should this weapon be considered a strategic or tactical threat? What symmetrical and asymmetrical countermeasures might Russia take?
The United States recently conducted a series of flight tests using the B61-12 gravity-type nuclear bomb without a warhead on the F-35 fighter jet. From August 19 to 21, at the Tonopah Test Range in Nevada, the F-35 fighter jet carried and dropped the "inert test missile" of the nuclear bomb. Experts who observed the test believed that this test was successful. The U.S. stated that these tests are an important stage in evaluating the performance of the weapon and also verified the reliability of the F-35 fighter jet in transporting nuclear bombs and performing related missions.
It is worth emphasizing that this test was the first time that the test missile mounted on the F-35 was preheated before being dropped. Engineers applied controlled temperature cycles to the nuclear bomb casing and electronic equipment to simulate actual combat conditions. This climate testing combined with flight testing allows the weapon's reliability to be certified without conducting nuclear explosion tests, while also enabling flight crews to complete relevant training during missions.
By the end of 2024, the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration had completed the life extension program for the B61-12 nuclear bomb, which allows the modernized version of the bomb to remain in service for at least another 20 years.
In addition, former U.S. President Donald Trump previously mentioned the possibility of conducting nuclear tests in the future. "We will conduct nuclear tests because other countries are doing so," Trump said.
When asked about the timing of the tests, he responded, "It will be soon." This former U.S. leader refused to reveal whether he planned to "detonate a nuclear warhead," only emphasizing, "I don't want to go into details with you, but we will conduct nuclear tests like other countries."
Experts believe that these tests are directly related to Russian security interests, as the B61-12 nuclear bomb has been deployed in military warehouses in several European countries.
"The difference between the B61-12 gravity nuclear bomb and its predecessors is that it is equipped with a glide guidance system, which can achieve a glide distance of tens of kilometers. The tail device ensures high precision and controllability of the bomb during flight. The most critical point is that when launching this bomb, there is no need to worry about the aircraft being affected by the blast wave," said Yuri Knutov, director of the Air Defense Museum and military expert.
He explained that the warhead of the B61-12 nuclear bomb has multiple yield options, ranging from 0.7 kilotons to 50 kilotons. The bomb is approximately 3.6 meters long and weighs about 825 kilograms, compatible with existing storage, operation standards, and aircraft interfaces, allowing it to replace various early versions of the B61 nuclear bombs in single configuration.
"The design purpose of this nuclear bomb is to be able to fit into the weapons bay of the F-35 stealth fighter-bomber — this aircraft is made with radar-absorbing coatings. In this way, the nuclear bomb will not be detected by radar," the retired colonel added.
In addition, the onboard computer of the F-35 preloads target data and release parameters, ensuring that the aircraft can perform missions under strict electromagnetic radiation control (EMCON) conditions when facing integrated air defense systems.
Knutov predicted that the U.S. will also conduct tests of the B61-12 nuclear bomb with other aircraft, including the next-generation strategic bomber B-21 "Raider."
"After completing these tests, the F-35 will be able to use low-yield nuclear weapons for high-precision strikes, destroying air defense facilities, command centers, communication nodes, and other targets, thereby opening a path for conventional aircraft — once the air defense system is destroyed, conventional aircraft can operate freely in enemy airspace," the expert explained.
Thus, the F-35 has become a fighter jet capable of conducting preemptive nuclear strikes.
"This is equivalent to the U.S. actually resuming the strategy of the Cold War era — at that time, their goal was to inflict sufficient damage on the enemy so that the Soviet Union could not organize an effective counterattack," the speaker said.
Knutov also mentioned that the UK has rebuilt a military base where B61-12 nuclear bombs are stored. Although the specific deployment location has not been disclosed, previous media reports indicated that the RAF Lakenheath airbase is building a facility for tactical nuclear weapons. Similar bases exist in Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany, and Turkey may also deploy this type of nuclear bomb. Recent assessments indicate that the U.S. stores about 100 of these nuclear bombs in its military bases in Europe.
"This test shows that the U.S. tactical nuclear weapons will be deployed near the Russian border," the speaker added.
"The B61-12 nuclear bomb is the core tactical nuclear weapon of the U.S. in Europe. The U.S. continues to modernize it, and the aircraft of NATO countries can all serve as carriers for this nuclear bomb. This work has been ongoing, but now it has a more information warfare attribute — just recall Trump's statements about planning to conduct nuclear tests and update the U.S. nuclear forces," said military expert Vasily Dandykin.
This respondent said that the tests conducted by the U.S. in August were only exposed now, which is not accidental — the current situation in Ukraine is tense, and U.S.-Russia relations have escalated again. "The U.S. does not want to give up its global hegemony."
This is likely a response to the statements of Russian President Vladimir Putin — Putin previously announced the successful testing of the 'Poseidon' nuclear-powered unmanned submersible and the 'Kinzhal' nuclear-powered cruise missile," the speaker added.
He pointed out that unlike the U.S., Russia has timely completed the modernization of its nuclear forces. "Russia's nuclear force modernization rate has approached 100%. The U.S. actions seem hasty. For decades, the U.S. has relied on the 'Minuteman' intercontinental ballistic missiles, while Russia has started deploying the new RS-28 'Sarmat' intercontinental ballistic missile. In my opinion, the U.S. is acting too slowly," Dandykin analyzed.
The recent tests conducted by the U.S. have affected strategic stability, increasing the risk of lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons and increasing the likelihood of conventional wars escalating into nuclear conflicts.
"Unfortunately, the U.S. indeed poses this risk. This tough stance already exists, especially in Europe... Witnessing this, India and China are expanding their nuclear forces. The current situation forces Russia to pay attention to this and develop doomsday weapons," the expert added.
At the same time, Russia continues to take diplomatic and information-related countermeasures — it was due to Russia's efforts that issues related to arms control have been discussed on the international platform.
"But the U.S. style of behavior is like that of a 'kamikaze' pilot, which will certainly not lead to any good results. The situation is gradually moving toward the point of eruption," Dandykin believes.
Knutov emphasized that Russia has a range of possible symmetrical and asymmetrical countermeasures. To counter the improvement in the accuracy and survivability of the U.S. tactical nuclear forces, Russia can take immediate and long-term military technological measures, including deploying the new medium-range and long-range air defense missile systems S-350 'Vityaz', S-400, and S-500 air defense systems. At the same time, Russia may also attack the F-35 fighter jet deployment bases and nuclear bomb storage facilities.
"However, the priority option is to carry out preemptive strikes with tactical nuclear weapons, such as the 'Orel' (non-nuclear configuration) or the modernized 'Iskander' missiles — the latter's future range is expected to reach 2000 kilometers. In addition, other strike means may also be used, such as cruise missiles, to destroy U.S. airbases and nuclear weapon storage points," Knutov said, adding that Russia should also have the capability to intercept F-35 fighters carrying B61-12 nuclear bombs approaching its territory.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7573243529649078793/
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