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F-35A Lightning II: First Stealth Fighter Jet Certified to Carry Nuclear Bombs
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In a groundbreaking move for military aviation, the F-35A Lightning II has been officially certified to deploy the B61-12 nuclear gravity bomb, marking it as the first stealth fighter jet with nuclear capabilities. This certification, achieved on October 12, 2023, ahead of schedule, significantly bolsters the United States’ and NATO’s strategic defense options.
Nuclear-Capable F-35A Enhances Strategic Deterrence
The integration of the B61-12 thermonuclear gravity bomb transforms the F-35A into a dual-role fighter, capable of both conventional and nuclear missions.This growth arrives as nuclear weapons remain a key element in numerous countries’ defense strategies, serving as a deterrent against potential aggression, a concept underpinning the U.S. policy of mutually assured destruction.
did You Know? the F-35A is the first new platform, fighter or bomber, to achieve nuclear capability certification since the early 1990s.
The U.S. maintains a “Nuclear Triad,” consisting of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), air-launched nuclear missiles and bombs, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. The F-35A’s new capability fills a previous gap, as earlier stealth fighters lacked nuclear deployment options. While the B-2 Spirit and B-52H Stratofortress remain primary airborne nuclear delivery systems, the F-35A adds a layer of versatility to the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
B61-12: The Thermonuclear Gravity Bomb
The B61-12 is the latest iteration in the B61 family,which has been in service since 1968. This 12-foot-long, 825-pound bomb offers four selectable yield options: 0.3, 1.5, 10, and 50 kilotons. To provide context, the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima had a yield of 15 kilotons and resulted in approximately 140,000 fatalities. The F-35A can internally carry two B61-12 bombs, potentially delivering a combined yield of 100 kilotons.
Pro Tip: The yield of the B61-12 can be adjusted before deployment,offering flexibility in responding to diffrent threat scenarios.
While the hope is that these weapons will never be used, maintaining a credible nuclear deterrent is considered vital for U.S. security. The F-35A’s certification extends to NATO allies through the nuclear sharing program, strengthening the alliance’s collective defense capabilities
