The F-35: The Ultimate Nuclear Bomber?
Could the stealth fighter get a new mission?
Kris Osborn [2]
Earlier this year, the F-35 completed a series of weapons separation tests and is currently able to be armed with the AIM-9X, AIM-120, AIM-132, GBU-12, JDAM, JSOW, SDB-1 and the Paveway IV, Lockheed Martin data states. While it is not yet clear exactly how a nuclear weapon might integrate onto the platform, the F-35 is configured to carry more than 3500 pounds of ordnance in stealth mode and over 18-thousand pounds uncontested.
The Air Force is integrating the B61 Mod 12 nuclear weapon into the F-35 this year as part of a long-range plan to deploy a nuclear-armed, dual-capable F-35 able to give commanders a wider envelope of precision nuclear attack options.
Source URL (retrieved on May 24, 2018):
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/the-f-35-the-ultimate-nuclear-bomber-25932