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The United States Are Investing In A New Generation Of Nuclear Bombs And Are Working On The Development Of A Bomb With Destructive Capacity 24 Times Greater Than That Of Hiroshima
The production of the new nuclear bomb by the United States, the B61-13, has been advanced by seven months. The measure comes amid rising international tensions and concerns about the possibility of a global armed conflict.
The nuclear bomb, classified as a “gravity bomb,” will be 24 times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
The initiative represents a direct response to the current military threats faced by the U.S.
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Gravity Bomb Enters Early Production
Scientists at the Sandia National Laboratory in New Mexico have begun production of the B61-13 ahead of schedule. Originally, production was set to start in 2026.
Now, the timeline has been accelerated due to a “critical challenge and urgent need,” according to sources from the laboratory itself laboratory.
Gravity bombs, like the B61-13, are dropped from military aircraft and use gravitational force to hit the target. They are not guided by autonomous systems or missiles.
The decision to accelerate the timeline is strategic. The goal is to create a deterrent threat large enough to discourage potential attacks against the U.S.
Destructive Power Well Above That Of World War II
The B61-13 has an explosive yield of 360 kilotons, equivalent to 360,000 tons of TNT. For comparison, the Hiroshima bomb — known as “Little Boy” — had only 15 kilotons.
This destructive power is sufficient to devastate entire urban areas. In a hypothetical scenario, if it were dropped on a city like Beijing, the estimate is 788,000 dead and 2.2 million injured.
The fireball caused by the explosion would vaporize everything within an 800-meter radius. Buildings would collapse and radiation would reach up to three kilometers. The long-term effects include deaths from cancer and radiation-related illnesses.
Gradual Replacement Of Old Weapons
The new bomb is scheduled to replace older models from the U.S. nuclear arsenal. Initially, it was expected to occur by 2028. With the new timeline, this could happen as early as this year.
The B61-13 does not represent an increase in the total number of nuclear weapons in the U.S. The government clarified that the production of the new bomb will be accompanied by a reduction in the manufacture of older models, such as the B61-12.
The warhead used in the B61-13 comes from the B61-7 model, in operation since the 1980s. It will be combined with recent technologies, including modern safety systems and a tailkit with precision guidance.
Bomb Will Be Used By Stealth Bomber Under Development
Unlike the B61-12, which can already be carried by aircraft such as the B-2, F-15 Eagle, and F-35 Lightning, the new B61-13 will be compatible with the stealth bomber B-21 Raider. This new aircraft is currently under development.
The integration with the B-21 indicates that the bomb will be an essential part of the future U.S. air strategy. The ability to carry weapons of this scale with radar-invisible aircraft could be a game changer in future conflicts.
Acceleration Also Reduces Cost And Production Time
The Sandia team explained that, in addition to military urgency, the new timeline brings technical advantages. With the acceleration, the total production time of the B61-13 will be 25% shorter than initially planned.
The weapon is part of the Life Extension Program, which modernizes old bombs to make them safer and more effective. The goal is to maintain current nuclear capabilities with more modern equipment, rather than expanding the arsenal.
Global Tension And Arms Race
The production of the B61-13 occurs in an increasingly unstable international scenario. The U.S. and China are facing economic and military tensions. China, for example, has already threatened a tariff war following statements from Donald Trump.
Russia and China have also been seen making improvements to their nuclear weapon facilities. Additionally, international treaties to ban nuclear testing are stalled, increasing uncertainties about the future.
In the last 40 years, countries like China, Pakistan, India, Israel, and North Korea have increased their stockpiles by more than 700 warheads. Today, the U.S. has approximately 5,044 nuclear warheads. Russia is the only country with a higher number.
Underground Tests Will Be Resumed
In February, the United States announced that they will restart their nuclear testing programs. These tests will be conducted in secret underground locations, as a way to assess the efficiency and safety of the new weapons.
The measure has been viewed with concern by international analysts. The resumption of tests can be interpreted as a sign that the U.S. is preparing for real confrontation scenarios.
Despite the advancement of production and the destructive power involved, U.S. officials assure that the B61-13 will not increase the total number of nuclear weapons in the country. It is a modernization of the existing arsenal.
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