The US Air Force, in conjunction with the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration, conducted two tests of the B61-12 nuclear bomb in Nevada. According to the official website of the NSNS, the shells did not contain a charge.
It is noted that tests under the B61-12 life extension program took place on August 8. The shell was dropped from an F-15E fighter-bomber. The tests evaluated the bomb's non-nuclear capabilities, as well as the aircraft's ability to deliver weapons.
The first such test happened in March.
The B61-12 product is a controlled modification of the B61 tactical nuclear bomb, the first version of which was put into service back in 1968. It is assumed that the 12th modification will replace the currently available US Air Force versions 3, 4, 7 and 10. After 2020, these weapons will be deployed in Europe as part of the replacement of previous versions of tactical bombs of the B61 family.
The total cost of upgrading B61 bombs will exceed $ 9.5 billion.