The Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) has completed the first B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb nearly a year ahead of schedule.
The bomb was unveiled during a small ceremony at the Pantex Plant, located 20 miles from Amarillo, Texas. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright applied the final stamp to the bomb’s casing. He was joined by representatives from the NNSA and key industry partners involved in the program.
NNSA has completed the First Production Unit of the B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb @PantexPlant. This is a major accomplishment for stockpile modernization. Thanks to the entire NNSA team who worked to achieve this milestone nearly a year ahead of schedule.https://t.co/XNlOZsS1JU pic.twitter.com/Y4ETedebz6
— NNSA (@NNSANews) May 19, 2025
“[The] Pantex Plant has completed the first production unit of the B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb – designed to strengthen the flexibility and credibility of America’s nuclear deterrent,” NNSA wrote on X. “This major milestone for America’s nuclear stockpile was completed a year ahead of schedule!”
Wright said the remarkable speed of the B61-13’s production “is a testament to the ingenuity of our scientists and engineers and the urgency we face to fortify deterrence in a volatile new age.”
The B61-13, which is based on the preceding B61-12, is the newest version of the B61, America’s longest-serving nuclear bomb. The newest version is designed only for use by long-range strategic bombers including the B-21 Raider.
In a press release, the NNSA said the B61-13 includes the same advanced safety, security, and accuracy features as the B61-12 but “features a yield oriented to the defeat of certain harder and large-area military targets.”
According to the Department of Energy, the B61-13 will be deployed exclusively at U.S. bases. Earlier versions of the B61 were deployed both domestically and across several European countries, including Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkey, as part of NATO’s nuclear sharing program.
The B61-13 is part of seven ongoing warhead modernization programs being carried out by the NNSA to maintain the reliability and effectiveness of the U.S. nuclear stockpile.
The full B61-13 program is scheduled to finish in 2027.
