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USA tests non-nuclear version of B61-12 gravity bomb in Nevada

USAF Completes Testing Of Non-nuclear Gravity Bomb, Defense World, November 17, 2015 The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and United States Air Force (USAF) have tested non-nuclear version of the B61-12 gravity bomb at Tonopah Test Range in Nevada.

The test was performed in a realistic guided flight environment, the USAF announced today.

This test is the last of three development flight tests for the B61-12 Life Extension Program (LEP). The B61-12 test asset was released by a USAF F-15E Strike Eagle and it demonstrated successful performance in a realistic guided flight environment…….

The development flight test asset contained representative non-nuclear components but no highly enriched uranium or plutonium, which is consistent with test treaty obligations, NNSA added……..The B61-12 is expected to replace earlier B61 models, including the B61-3, B61-4, B61-7, and B61-10. Development engineering of the B61-12 LEP began in February 2012 as a joint USAF-NNSA program. http://www.defenseworld.net/news/14614/USAF_Completes_Testing_Of_Non_nuclear_Gravity_Bomb#.VkwpS9IrLGg

November 18, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | USA, weapons and war