Sandia National Laboratories and the NNSA conducted a multi‑day flight test at Tonopah Test Range, Nevada, in August 2025 in which an F‑35A released three inert B61‑12 test assets to evaluate carriage and release characteristics as part of a stockpile and weapons‑integration campaign.
Discovered |
Briefing
Confirms a focused weapons‑integration effort: Sandia/NNSA executed a multi‑day August 2025 campaign at Tonopah in which an F‑35A released three inert B61‑12 test assets to evaluate carriage and release characteristics.
Places F‑35 integration in the wider strategic‑strike testing landscape, alongside recent USAF flight tests that have visibly exercised long‑range nuclear‑capable payload concepts (see USAF B‑52H flight‑test activity with suspected LRSO‑like payloads).
Adds to evolving force‑modernization and test tempo discussions as the Air Force increases flight testing of next‑generation platforms (context: B‑21 flight‑test tempo rising as USAF and Northrop plan production ramp) and readies F‑35s for expanded weapons integrations (see recent instrumented F‑35A acceptance for TR‑3/Block 4 weapons testing).
Reported By
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USAF F‑35A Conducts August Flight Tests Carrying and Releasing Inert B61‑12 Bombs • Air & Space Forces Mag
US validates B61-12 nuclear bomb integration with F-35A after Nevada flight tests • newsable.asianetnews.com
US tests B61-12 nuclear bomb without warhead • tass.com
August 2025: F-35 Conducts Stockpile Flight Tests on Three B61-12 Assets • realcleardefense.com
