October 31, 2023

In a significant move to enhance national security and maintain global stability, the U.S. Department of Defense announced on October 27, 2023, its plans to develop a modern variant of the B61 nuclear gravity bomb, designated the B61-13. This development is subject to Congressional authorization and appropriation, marking a crucial phase in the United States’ nuclear deterrence strategy.

The B61-13 is set to play a pivotal role in strengthening the deterrence of adversaries and assurance of allies and partners. It aims to provide the President with additional options to counteract certain larger and more fortified military targets. This announcement comes at a time when global security is increasingly precarious, with U.S. competitors expanding, diversifying, and modernizing their nuclear forces, and placing greater reliance on nuclear weapons.

The 2022 Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) underscores the necessity of this development, advocating for a balanced approach to navigate the complex security environment. The NPR emphasizes the importance of investing in deterrence, while also renewing the commitment to arms control and other risk reduction measures. Adjustments to the nuclear force are deemed essential to ensuring the U.S. maintains its capability to achieve deterrence and fulfill other critical objectives.

The B61-13 is expected to replace some of the B61-7s in the current stockpile, subject to Congressional approval. With a yield similar to that of the B61-7, but higher than the B61-12, the B61-13 incorporates the modern safety, security, and accuracy features of the B61-12. This ensures that the President has additional options against specific military targets, particularly larger and more fortified ones.

The Department of Defense is concurrently working on a comprehensive strategy to defeat hard and deeply buried targets, as directed by the NPR. This balanced approach is aimed at denying adversaries any sanctuary from attack, enhancing both deterrence and assurance. The B61-13 is a critical component of this strategy, providing additional options against specific military targets, even as efforts are made to retire legacy systems such as the B83-1 and the B61-7.

It is important to note that the introduction of the B61-13 will not increase the overall number of weapons in the U.S. stockpile. The production numbers for the B61-12 will be adjusted accordingly, ensuring a balanced and responsible approach to national security.

This initiative is the culmination of several months of rigorous review and consideration, reflecting a proactive response to the evolving security landscape, rather than a reaction to any specific current event. The development and fielding of the B61-13 are crucial steps in ensuring the United States remains at the forefront of global security and stability.