Military officials from the United States spoke about the secret trials of the 12th version of the gravity bomb B-61, According to Military.com portal.
We have already held 26 engineering, debugging and flight tests. The program is going very well - said the deputy chief of staff for strategic deterrence and integration of nuclear weapons, Gen. Jack Weinstein.
Upgraded bombs are five times more accurate than their predecessors - ammunition B61-3, B61-4, B61-7 and B61-10.
Bombs Class B were developed in 1963 year. Later they were "taught" to penetrate underground bunkers and command centers. This bomb is unique thanks to its tail feathers, which allows you to control her fall and increases the accuracy of impact.
The US military did not specify, what kind of aircraft used during the tests. According to the publication, new weapons must be compatible with the multi-platform fighter of the fifth generation F-35 Lightning II. Expected, that the first batch of bombs will go into service in 2020 year.
US plan to place bombs on military bases in Europe - Germany, Italy, Turkey, Belgium and the Netherlands. According to estimates of the Budget control of Congress 30 years (2017-2046) modernization of tactical nuclear forces will cost 25 billions of dollars.
