• Ar
  • Es
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Feature
  • Videos
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Feature
Videos
Infographs
In Pictures
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. US & Canada
  4. Pentagon to retire B83-1 thermonuclear gravity bomb
US & Canada

Pentagon to retire B83-1 thermonuclear gravity bomb

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 28 Oct 2022 17:23
  • 3 Shares

The country's most powerful atomic warhead is on its way to be decommissioned.

  • Pentagon to retire B83-1 thermonuclear gravity bomb
     B83-1 thermonuclear gravity bomb.

The United States will decommission the B83-1 thermonuclear gravity bomb, which is the country's most powerful atomic warhead, according to the US national defense strategy published by the Pentagon. 

"The B83-1 gravity bomb will be retired due to increasing limitations on its capabilities and rising maintenance costs," the document, published on Thursday, said.

The US plans to use other existing opportunities in order to "hold at risk hard and deeply buried targets," the strategy said, adding that the defense ministry will develop a new tool, "working with its interagency partners and informed by existing concepts." 

In the late 1970s, the US developed the free-falling B83 thermonuclear aerial bomb that yields 1.2 megatons of energy. For comparison scale, the atomic bombs which targeted Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 were around 15 and 25 kilotons respectively. 

Citing diplomatic cables and other sources, Politico claimed on Thursday that the US hastened the deployment of a modernized B61-12 nuclear weapon at NATO bases in Europe, with a target date of the end of 2022 instead of 2023.

The modernized B61-12 atomic bomb's initial manufacturing sample was reportedly delivered to the Department of Defense by the US military-industrial complex in December 2021. Since 1968, the B61 aerial bomb has undergone several upgrades. The upgraded bomb can be dropped from the F-15, F-16, F-35, and Tornado, as well as the B2 and B-21 strategic bombers.

  • United States
  • Pentagon
  • B83-1

Trending Now

All
US Russian

Russia denies downing US Reaper, Pentagon declines disclosing if armed

Most Read

US dollar may lose status as global reserve currency: Yellen

US dollar may lose status as global reserve currency: Yellen

  • US & Canada
  • 22 Mar
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at a press conference on 25, February, 2022. (AFP)

Kiev unable to launch counteroffensive: Zelensky

  • Europe
  • 25 Mar
Europe's move has only increased Putin’s esteem outside the West -- but estimation of Europe’s political nous and understanding of Russia, however, is sharply diminished.

Lawfare Comes into Fashion: The New Geo-political ‘Rack’

  • Analysis
  • 25 Mar
President Joe Biden listens as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, March 3, 2023 (AP).

Hersh: Nord Stream explosion decision possibly 'anger' or 'punishment

  • US & Canada
  • 25 Mar

Read this

All
Ukrainian tank crews look at a depleted uranium shell. (YouTube)
Europe

UK instructs Kiev troops on depleted uranium ammo use: Declassified UK

  • 28 Mar
Kiev's counteroffensive in spring to be 'decisive': US army secretary
Europe

Kiev's counteroffensive in spring to be 'decisive': US SECARMY

  • Today
Israelis protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system in 'Bnei Brak' near 'Tel Aviv', occupied Palestine, March 23, 2023 (AP)
Palestine

Israeli opposition: protests will continue

  • Today
US troops patrol in their military vehicles near the Syrian border on 17 December 2020 (Reuters)
MENA

Biden officials say less strikes on Syria to come for meantime: NYT

  • 28 Mar
Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS