Two fighter jets with nuclear bombs were recently spotted over the United States. Planes were spotted last week over California.
Both were claimed to be equipped with a B61-12 nuclear bomb trainer, a latest variant in the B61 family that could have a selectable explosive yields of up to 50 kilotons of TNT.
Bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki almost 80 years ago reportedly had yields of 15 and 25 kilotons.
The B61-12 nuclear bomb trainer is a non-explosive version of the weapon that is used for training purposes.
Tornado fighter jets
Later images confirmed that it was tornado fighter jets, parts of German air force. The two planes were spotted near the Edwards Air Force Base.
It is one of the certified non-U.S. operating combat aircraft in Europe under NATO’s nuclear sharing. These dual-capable aircraft, capable of carrying nuclear and non-nuclear weapons, can deliver American nukes in a conflict, reported Newsweek .
B61 nuclear gravity bombs
The United States has deployed several numbers of B61 nuclear gravity bombs in Europe to provide “nuclear umbrella” for extended deterrence, according to NATI. Remained under the custody and control of the United States, the nukes are claimed to provide a kind of guarantee to NATO’s security.
The photo, which was taken on August 27 at Edwards Air Force Base in California, showed the German aircraft was carrying a B61-12 nuclear bomb trainer under its belly, according to Hans Kristensen, director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, reported Newsweek .
The Tornado aircraft is currently Germany’s designated platform for delivering nuclear weapons under NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangements, although it is expected to be replaced by the F-35 in the future .
This testing underscores Germany’s role in NATO’s nuclear deterrence strategy, amid rising global tensions. Germany’s continued participation in such exercises ensures it maintains the operational capabilities required for the nuclear mission under NATO’s framework.
Tornado carries a spectrum of weapons
The Tornado IDS attacks targets with high accuracy in all weather conditions. It carries a spectrum of weapons and defensive aids and is highly survivable by virtue of its automatic terrain-following and electronic counter-measure systems.
The Tornado IDS carries two internally mounted guns and two AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for self defense. The aircraft is guided by an accurate, fully autonomous navigation system.The Tornado ADV provides autonomous, all-weather air defense.
It can patrol for more than two hours at 350 nautical miles from base and can climb to 30,000 feet in under two minutes. The ADV detects targets more than 100 nautical miles away and engages those targets beyond visual range, according to the air force .
B61 nuclear gravity bomb in service for over 50 years
The B61 nuclear gravity bomb, deployed from U.S. Air Force and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) bases, has been in service for over 50 years.
Numerous modifications have been made to improve the B61’s safety, security, and reliability since the first B61 entered service in 1968, and four B61 variants remain in the stockpile: the 3, 4, 7, and 11.
The B61 is undergoing a life extension to continue to assure its safety, security, and effectiveness, according to United States .
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