The United States Air Force (USAF) conducted tests with two F-35A Lightning Il fighter jets that dropped B61-12 Joint Test Assemblies UTAS) during a complete weapon system demonstration for the nuclear design certification. The fifth-generation fighter jets took off from the Nellis Air Force Base (LSV) near Las Vegas and flew northwest towards the Tonopah test range, where they released two B61-12 JTAS from operationally practical flight envelopes.
Maintaining the atomic stockpile The B61-12 nuclear gravity bomb is the latest variant of the B61, which was introduced in the 1960s. It is not only critical for the United States nuclear deterrence as the main component of its nuclear arsenal, but also to some of its allies which are part of the NATO Nuclear Sharing agreement. A number of B61 are currently stored in several bases in Europe, namely in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and Turkey.
Coincidentally, all but Germany intended to operate the F-35A Lightning II. Turkey, however, was barred from acquiring the stealth fighter jet following its decision to procure the Russian S-400 air defense system. The U.S. authorities argued operating both weapon platforms conjointly could have compromised the aircraft.
The F-35A Lightning II is the third aircraft of the USAF to prove its capacity to operate the B61-12. Earlier this year, tests were also carried out from an F-15E Strike Eagle fighter and from a B-2 Spirit strategic bomber. This test was the first time the bomb was dropped from the internal bay of a fighter. Eventually, 480 B61-12 nuclear bombs should be delivered to the United States and its NATO allies.
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