The first production unit of the B61-13 gravity bomb has been completed nearly a year ahead of schedule, marking a significant achievement for Sandia National Laboratories and the wider U.S. nuclear security community. As the lead systems integrator and design agency for the bomb’s nonnuclear components, Sandia built extensively on the configuration of the B61-12, which completed production in late 2024.
The initial unit was assembled at the Pantex Plant in May, just 13 months after the program received congressional funding approval. The project benefited from early contributions by the Y-12 National Security Complex and the Kansas City National Security Campus, which provided critical components ahead of schedule to keep production on track.
Sandia’s ability to deliver early was driven by innovative approaches and the seamless transition of experienced personnel from the B61-12 program. Feasibility studies and planning began as early as 2022, well before formal funding was authorized in April 2024, giving the team a valuable head start.
In May, Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright attended a ceremony at the Pantex Plant to diamond stamp the first B61-13 unit, a certification of its quality and readiness for deployment. The B61-13 offers a higher yield than the B61-12, while maintaining its modern safety, security, and precision features. The total number of U.S. nuclear weapons will remain unchanged, as the B61-13’s production will offset the planned number of B61-12 units. The program now moves forward to the Design Review and Acceptance Group phase and prepares to transition to full-scale production.
