U.S. Air Force Conducts 2nd Test Flight Of A B61-12 Nuclear Bomb

An Air Force F-16C dropped an inert B61-12 during a development flight test by the 422nd Flight Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nevada, on March 14, 2017 © U.S. Air Force

Daily Mail: US holds 2nd test flight of B61-12 nuclear bomb over the Nevada desert

* An F-15E from Nellis Air Force Base dropped an inert version of the B61-12 over the Nevada desert earlier this month after its first test in March
* B61-12 gravity bombs, without a nuclear warhead, were dropped from F-15E fighter jets at Tonopah Test Range in Nevada on August 8
* The mock bomb landed in a dry lake bed at the Tonopah Test Range
* Scientists will spend months analyzing the data gathered from the test
* B61-12 consolidates and replaces older versions in the nation's nuclear arsenal

The US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has revealed that it has conducted a second series of test flights involving an upgraded version of a nuclear bomb that has been part of the U.S. arsenal for decades.

An F-15E from Nellis Air Force Base dropped an inert version of the weapon over the Nevada desert earlier this month as well as in March to test its non-nuclear functions as well as the plane's ability to carry the bomb.

Work on the B61-12 has been ongoing for years, and government officials say the latest tests using mock versions of the bomb will be vital to the refurbishing effort.

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Update: US holds 2nd test of B61-12 nuclear bombs (RT).

WNU Editor: The U.S. is also developing/building a new nuclear capable cruise missile .... Lockheed, Raytheon to Develop New Nuclear Cruise Missile (DOD Buzz).