B61-12 Life Extension Program complete

The National Nuclear Security Administration has completed the last production unit of the B61-12 Life Extension Program, according to a Tuesday announcement.

The last of the modified gravity bombs was completed in December, the announcement stated, extending the service life of the air-delivered nuclear weapon for at least 20 more years.

“Completing the B61-12 on schedule is the latest example of what we’ve been saying for several years now: NNSA is delivering capabilities at the pace and scale needed by our Department of Defense partners and our deterrence requirements,” said Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security and NNSA Administrator Jill Hruby.

The life extension program delivered the first production unit in November 2021 and completed the program in just over three years.

“The B61-12 balances greater accuracy provided by the modern tail kit assembly with a substantial reduction in yield with no overall change in military characteristics,” the notice said.

NNSA will now transition to producing the B61-13 nuclear bomb with the first production unit expected in fiscal year 2026. The organization is also working on six other warhead modernization programs and modernizing manufacturing capabilities.