A non-nuclear mock B61-12 Joint Test Assembly (JTA) being prepared for test loading inside the B-2A Spirit stealth bombers bombs bay. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Devan Halstead)
The U.S. Air Force recently released on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) website a series of interesting photos from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. The photos, taken on June 13, 2022, show a high-fidelity, non-nuclear mock B61-12 Joint Test Assembly (JTA) being prepared for test loading inside the B-2A Spirit stealth bombers bombs bay. To our knowledge, these should be the first public photos of the weapon with the Spirit since testing aboard the aircraft has begun few years ago.
The Air Force did not provide many details and did not even mention the name of the bomb, simply stating the 72nd Test and Evaluation Squadron test loads a new nuclear-capable weapons delivery system for the B-2 Spirit bomber. The 72nd TES, a geographically separated unit of Eglin AFBs 53rd Wing based at Whiteman, is in charge of all testing and evaluation of new equipment, software and weapons systems for the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.
It is not clear what the caption refers to with the term nuclear-capable weapons delivery system. The unofficial Nuclear Matters Handbook of the office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters, gives us the following definition:
A nuclear weapon delivery system is the military platform and delivery vehicle by which a nuclear weapon is delivered to its intended target in the event of authorized use (by the President of the United States, who retains sole authority to employ nuclear weapons). Most nuclear weapons have been designed for a specific delivery system, making interoperability potentially challenging.
In addition to the mix of silo-based Minuteman III (MMIII) ICBMs, Trident II D5 Life Extension (LE) SLBMs carried on Ohio-class SSBNs, and B-2A and B-52H nuclear-capable heavy bombers, the U.S. nuclear force includes dual-capable aircraft (DCA), that can carry conventional or nuclear weapons.
Judging by this definition, the weapon delivery system in question should be the B-2A bomber, however the fact that the caption mentions the test loading aboard the aircraft might mean that this system is a new weapon rack inside the bombs bay designed to work with the new B61-12. Available public info states that the Spirit was designed to employ a Bomb Rack Assembly (BRA) for conventional munitions and a Rotary Launcher Assembly (RLA) for the delivery of conventional or nuclear weapons.
The BRA was later upgraded between 2003 and 2006 and became a Smart Bomb Rack Assembly capable of carrying as many as 80 independently targeted, JDAM GPS-guided weapons. So, since the new B61-12 in equipped with a guidance kit, it is possible that also the RLA is now being upgraded to use the new bomb. The new bomb variant will replace the B61-7 and B61-11 currently available for the B-2 fleet.
As we already reported, The B61 entered service 50 years ago and has undergone a Life-Extention Program (LEP) to consolidate and replace four legacy bomb variants, the B61 -3, -4, -7, and -11 mods, into the B61-12. The refurbished B61-12 will allow the retirement of the larger B83, becoming the only remaining gravity delivered nuke in the inventory. The bomb will carry a low-yield nuclear warhead with four yield options, reportedly 0.3 kilotons, 1.5 kilotons, 10 kilotons and 50 kilotons, instead of larger warheads like the models it is replacing (which can reach 400 kilotons depending on the variants).
The 12-foot, 825-pound bomb is designed to be delivered from the air in either ballistic or guided-gravity drop modes, thanks to a new Boeing-built tail assembly that includes an Inertial Navigation System (INS) precision-guidance package and two spin rocket motors that improve the bombs stability on its longitudinal axis during the descent. The LEP is said to be increasing the B61s accuracy so much (with a reported 30 m Circular Error Probability instead of the original 100 m) that it will have the same capability against hardened targets as the much more powerful weapons it is replacing.
Read the original post:
- Choosing Regular Food to Extend Longevity - CounterPunch.org - CounterPunch - April 18th, 2024 [April 18th, 2024]
- "I love the club, I'm really happy here" - Manchester United star opens up on life at club amid contract extension uncertainty - Sportskeeda - March 31st, 2023 [March 31st, 2023]
- Life Extension review - 7 facts you should know [APRIL 2022] - February 5th, 2023 [February 5th, 2023]
- Biomedical Research & Longevity Society - Wikipedia - January 27th, 2023 [January 27th, 2023]
- NAD+ Cell Regenerator and Resveratrol Elite - Life Extension - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- FLORASSIST GI with Phage Technology - Life Extension - December 12th, 2022 [December 12th, 2022]
- Magnesium Citrate 100 mg, 100 capsules - Life Extension - November 5th, 2022 [November 5th, 2022]
- AMPK Metabolic Activator, 30 tablets - Life Extension - November 5th, 2022 [November 5th, 2022]
- Germany nuclear plants life extension approved by Cabinet - DW (English) - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Biohacking: What is it, types and hacks to try for beginners - Medical News Today - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- 'Biggest day of my life': Kevin Porter Jr., Rockets react to extension - Rockets Wire - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Postharvest quality solution for tomatoes-on-the-vine - hortidaily.com - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- JZZ Technologies, Inc. and Subsidiary LION Development Group, Enter into JV Agreement with affiliate of Hospitality Development Group, Inc. of Florida... - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- 'I love the city': QB Zach Collaros inks 3-year contract extension to stay with Blue Bombers through 2025 - CBC.ca - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- MSU-led team studying expansion of controlled environment culinary herb production across US - Michigan State University - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- 60 seconds with...Wayne Dunn, Babcock International - Professional Engineering - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Wind energy operators must address these 5 areas to exploit the full value of monitoring - Windpower Engineering - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Extension shares tips for practicing fire safety in the fall - The Hartselle Enquirer - Hartselle Enquirer - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- FIRST Robotics Prepares to Extend Its Reach to More Vermont Students - Seven Days - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Plant Life Cycles - Penn State Extension - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- FDA Authorizes Shelf Life Extension for Certain Lots of Paxlovid - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- EDF considers extending life of two UK nuclear plants due to energy crisis - The Guardian - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Rittenbach among Extension team professionals honored - Jamestown Sun | News, weather, sports from Jamestown North Dakota - The Jamestown Sun - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- What is the circular economy and why is it essential for real sustainability? - Schroders - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- 44 national and international NGOs call for renewal and expansion of truce in Yemen [EN/AR] - Yemen - ReliefWeb - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- University City Townhomes residents now have until end of the year to find new low-income housing - The Philadelphia Inquirer - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- New Eskom board: Business groups happy with mix of skills - News24 - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Full circle on the farm: Penn State alum returns to help educate Pa. growers - Pennsylvania State University - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Task Force: Blacks are owed hundreds of thousands - CalMatters - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- ProLynx appoints Richard King as Chief Executive Officer and Chris Ehrlich as Board Director - GlobeNewswire - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Analysis: Behind Trump's media deal, a vote where only yes will do - Reuters - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Evusheld long-acting antibody combination approved in the EU for the treatment of COVID-19 | Antibodies | News Channels - PipelineReview.com - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Action Hampshire get behind Sustainable Future Fund to reduce waste in business - Hampshire Chronicle - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Living the dream - Farm Progress - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Teck and Agnico Eagle Announce Agreement on the San Nicols Copper-Zinc Project located in Zacatecas, Mexico - PR Newswire - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Most actively traded companies on the Toronto Stock Exchange - Winnipeg Free Press - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Giants Urged to Give Extension to 24-Year-Old Defender - Heavy.com - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Russias MiG-31 Fighter That Fired Hypersonic Missiles On Ukraine Conducted Drills In The Stratosphere - EurAsian Times - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Jaguar Mining Reports Confirmed Continuity of Mineralization at Pilar Gold Mine - Life of Mine Extension Drilling to Follow - Yahoo Finance - September 14th, 2022 [September 14th, 2022]
- Easy meals, life-saving knife skills part of West Texas Fair & Rodeo Spotlight Kitchen - Abilene Reporter-News - September 14th, 2022 [September 14th, 2022]
- Beyond Bulletproof: Why Billionaires Are Chasing Everlasting Health - Newsweek - September 14th, 2022 [September 14th, 2022]
- Did California Truly Extend the Life of Diablo Canyon? Only Time Will Tell. - JD Supra - September 14th, 2022 [September 14th, 2022]
- Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainings Offered This Fall - Iowa State University - September 14th, 2022 [September 14th, 2022]
- Finland to Extend Validity of Residence Permits for Ukrainian Refugees Under Temporary Protection - SchengenVisaInfo.com - SchengenVisaInfo.com - September 14th, 2022 [September 14th, 2022]
- Wildfire Smoke's Affect on Potato Crops Being Studied - University of Idaho - September 14th, 2022 [September 14th, 2022]
- National Weather Service Northern Indiana radar will be down beginning Monday for upgrades - WANE - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Renault Trucks Will Give New Life to Old Parts - Ward's Auto - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Stop the stigma and step in - Farm Progress - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Empire Wind and WCS Announce Extension of Historic Near Real-Time Acoustic Marine Monitoring Project In New York Bight - Business Wire - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Media Advisory: Chalk River Laboratories Officially Breaks Ground on One of the Largest Nuclear Research Facilities Ever Constructed in Canada -... - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- PFAS pilot study gets yet another extension, scope and cost of another project reduced - wausaupilotandreview.com - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Predators extend deal with Bally Sports South - Awful Announcing - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- WWYDW: Reactions to the Canucks' J.T. Miller extension - Canucks Army - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- NASA's Artemis rocket makers explain that it's a marathon and a sprint - The Register - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Food supply chains are susceptible to fraud and adulteration more than ever, warns Kerry - Food Ingredients First - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Reprieve for The White Lady as iconic food truck gets 12-month licence extension - Stuff - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Gypsy Moth Biology & Life Cycle - University of Illinois Extension - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- AgriLife's Johanna Hicks and Team Honored at 2022 National Health Outreach Conference - frontporchnewstexas.com - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Harmony Gold to maintain dividends despite facing two years of heavy capital bills - Miningmx - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Malaysian, Thai companies ink MOU to explore cooperation in Mechanised Infantry Fighting Vehicle life extension programme - The Edge Markets MY - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Coveris previews new packaging solutions targeting enhanced performance and recyclability - Packaging Europe - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- KPF and heatherwick studio to extend singapore airport as cluster of lush 'neighborhoods' - Designboom - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Understanding Tax Liens. Could the IRS seize your car? - finehomesandliving.com - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Extension of Legacy Trail in Tyler to continue - Tyler Morning Telegraph - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- KRUG: Extension learning opportunities around the corner - Hays Post - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Half-Life 2 VR is coming, here's how you can get it - Win.gg - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Transplant technology: United Therapeutics 3D-printing of human organs focused on every breath you take - Manchester Ink Link - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Serena Williams Interview on Leaving Tennis and Her Legacy - TIME - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Thousands of photos captured by everyday Australians reveal the secrets of our marine life as oceans warm - The Conversation - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Empathy and Solidarity: On Alejandro Varela's The Town of Babylon - lareviewofbooks - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- How many people continue their stay in the UK or apply to stay permanently? - GOV.UK - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Anti-Aging Conference and Olympia Weekend Set for Back-to-Back Weekends in Vegas - Muscle & Fitness - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- A son steps aboard the Eagle and into his father's world - Journal Inquirer - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Class to teach healthy living for those with chronic conditions - The Maryville Forum - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- New application for disinfection of fresh-cut fruits by means ozone in the packaging - hortidaily.com - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Meatless Meats and Smokeless Smokes - Equities News - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Command & Control Success: Fireground Commander: Understanding the Impact - Firehouse - August 15th, 2022 [August 15th, 2022]
- Five Ways This Survey About Maine's Wellness is Absolutely Bogus - WJBQ - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- Center for Advanced Innovation in Agriculture, Virginia Cooperative Extension help Virginia Tech showcase its land-grant mission at 2022 Virginia Ag... - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]
- Anti-ageing tips: Here's how to rewind your biological clock - Hindustan Times - July 25th, 2022 [July 25th, 2022]