DID Press: US successfully tested a B61-12 tactical nuclear bomb without a warhead in August, according to an official statement issued by Sandia National Laboratories, which operates under the U.S. Department of Energy.
The tests were carried out between 19 and 21 August at a designated test site in the state of Nevada. During the operation, U.S. F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets deployed inert versions of the B61-12 bomb for release trials.
The experiment was conducted in coordination with the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
Sandia confirmed that the NNSA completed a program in late 2024 extending the operational life of this class of air-delivered nuclear bombs by 20 years.
The test is part of Washington’s broader strategy to modernize and maintain its nuclear arsenal.