BLUF

The F-35 successfully completed B61-12 nuclear bomb flight tests at Tonopah, Utah, validating reliability and extending weapon life by 20 years. This milestone confirms the F-35 as the only fifth-gen fighter certified for nuclear missions.

Learning Outcomes 

  • Explain the significance of the B61-12 flight tests on the F-35 platform.
  • Analyse the technical advancements demonstrated during the Tonopah Test Range campaign.
  • Assess the strategic implications of integrating nuclear capability into the F-35 fleet.
READ: US F-35 drops inert nuclear bomb to show future atomic strike mission capability

References