08 May 2025 , 09:47
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United States to begin mass production of new thermonuclear bombs in May
The U.S. is set to begin serial production of a new generation of thermonuclear bombs. The first mass-produced B61-13 bomb is scheduled to be completed in May 2025, according to Theresa Robbins, Acting Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) under the Department of Energy.
“The W88 Alteration 370 program (a modernized nuclear warhead designed for launch from Trident II submarine-launched ballistic missiles) remains on track with the U.S. Navy’s delivery schedule and is expected to complete production by the end of fiscal year 2025,” Robbins stated.
“The W80-4 program (nuclear warhead for the Air Force’s long-range cruise missile) also remains on schedule, and we anticipate producing the first serial unit by September 2027,” she added.
The decision to produce the B61-13 warheads was made in 2023 under the Biden administration. The move has drawn criticism from both U.S. and international experts advocating for global nuclear disarmament. Among the critics are the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
World Affairs Correspondent