With the United States’ Minuteman II intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBMs) arsenal aging, the US Air Force has pushed the Pentagon to fund nuclear modernization programs.
To that end, the Air Force conducted successful tests with two B61 nuclear bombs. Neither carried a live warhead.
"The primary objective of flight testing is to obtain reliability, accuracy, and performance data under operational representative conditions," reads a statement released by the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
The 700-pound bombs were dropped by B-2 bombers over a test range in Nevada.
"The B61 is a critical element of the US nuclear triad and the extended deterrent," said Brig. Gen. Michael Lutton of the NNSA, according to the statement. READ MORE
