Thread by @ianellisjones

JUST IN💣

U.S. plans to develop & build a new nuclear bomb.

The "modern variant of the B61 nuclear gravity bomb" will provide the U.S. with additional flexibility & options "against certain harder & large-area military targets."

Late Friday release is telling...

One pager from DOD:

Source + excellent report with a lot more detail:

https://twitter.com/nukestrat/status/1717970847191757182

“The decision to add the B61-13 comes shortly after another new nuclear bomb – the B61-12 – began full-scale production last year and is currently entering the nuclear stockpile.” @nukestrat @mattkorda

@nukestrat @mattkorda “The administration stated that it would not increase the number of weapons in the arsenal and that any B61-13s would come at the expense of the long-planned B61-12.”

@nukestrat @mattkorda “Like the B61-7, the B61-13 will be designed for delivery by strategic bombers: the future B-21 and, until it is retired, possibly also the B-2. It is not intended for delivery by dual-capable fighters.”

"Today's announcement is reflective of a changing security environment & growing threats from potential adversaries," said Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Plumb.

"The U.S. has a responsibility to continue to assess & field the capabilities we need to credibly deter &, if necessary, respond to strategic attacks, & assure our allies."

https://twitter.com/us_stratcom/status/1718015518995529746

Final note: The fielding of the B61-13 is not in response to any specific current event; it reflects an ongoing assessment of a changing security environment.