A spokesperson for the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) announced that the F-35A model has received certification approval to operationally carry the B61-12 thermonuclear bomb. F-35A, one of Lockheed Martin’s favorite models, can now carry a bomb with a nuclear warhead. Here are the details..
F-35A model will be able to carry B61-12 nuclear bombs
JPO spokesman Russ Goemaere said the certification was received on October 12, months before a promise to NATO allies that the process would be completed by January 2024. Some F-35As will now be officially capable of carrying the B61-12. This move makes the F35-A a “dual-capable” aircraft capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear weapons.
Making a statement on the subject, Goemaere said, “F-35A made history as the first 5th generation nuclear-capable aircraft. Additionally, the F35-A is the first new platform to achieve fighter and bomber status since the early 1990s. This F-35 Nuclear Certification effort is the culmination of more than 10 years of intense effort across the nuclear enterprise, consisting of 16 different government and industry stakeholders. “The F-35A achieved Nuclear Certification ahead of schedule, providing the United States and NATO with a critical capability that supports U.S. expanded deterrence commitments sooner than expected.” He stated:
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Goemaere said U.S. disclosure policy prohibits the disclosure of information regarding dual-capable aircraft among NATO partners. By 2023, nearly 100 older variants of B61 bombs are hosted by NATO allies Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey, which share the alliance’s nuclear strike mission, according to an analysis by the Federation of American Scientists. The need to have a nuclear-capable aircraft is described as the main reason why Germany signed the program.
The F-35A is certified to carry only the newer B61-12 variant to replace older models. The certification does not cover other variants of the stealth jet, the short takeoff and vertical landing F-35B and the carrier-launched F-35C. The delivery schedule for the B61-12s to Europe is unclear, but Politico has previously revealed that the bombs will be shipped starting in December 2022.
F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin said in a statement: “F-35 is the world’s only 5th Generation multi-role stealth fighter aircraft. “Cooperating with our customers, we continue to make advances to ensure it stays ahead of threats.”
The F-15E was the first American fighter aircraft previously compatible with the B61-12. Three other fighter aircraft groups (F-16A/B, F-16C/D and PA-200 Tornado used by some NATO countries) are also authorized to carry nuclear weapons.
Dual-capable aircraft, alongside the traditional nuclear triad of bombers, submarines and ground-launched ICBMs, are seen by European countries as an important part of fending off Russian aggression. The nuclear capacity of NATO-origin aircraft comes at a critical juncture for NATO, at a time when the war in Ukraine and especially Russia’s nuclear attacks are taking place.