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The National Nuclear Security Administration of the Department of Energy and the US Air Force has completed two qualification flight tests of the B61-12 bomb in Nevada, a report published on the NNSA website.
During the tests at the Tonop test site, the US Air Force F-15E bomber dropped bombs without military charge, writes NV.
According to the report, the researchers evaluated the "non-nuclear" functions of the bombs and the ability of the bomber to carry and deliver to the desired point nuclear weapons.
It is noted that these tests are part of a series of tests that will last three years to qualify B61-12 for maintenance. The first flight qualification test took place in March.
"The program for extending the life of the B61-12 continues on schedule and meets the requirements of national security. These realistic flight qualification tests confirm the correctness of the design of the B61-12 when it comes to system efficiency, "said NNSA deputy director for defense programs Phil Kalbos.
As noted, the bomb B61-12 will combine and replace four other modifications of the B61 bomb (B61-3, -4, -7, -10) in the country's nuclear arsenal. The first production unit of the modification is planned to be completed before 2020.