US B61 variable-yield nuclear bomb may have been damaged in the Netherlands

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) has discovered a photograph of a thermonuclear bomb with a warped rear end and damaged fuselage. This may be the first case of damage to a nuclear weapon that has been made publicly known. But it is too early to be frightened.

Here's What We Know

The photo captures the B61 bomb. The photo itself is believed to have been taken in 2022, but no date or location is given. Still, it can be assumed that it is an air shelter at Volkel airbase in the Netherlands.

It is worth mentioning that there is no official confirmation that the photo was taken at Volkel base. There is also no evidence that the B61 was real and not a training exercise, or that the damage was the result of a real accident.

On the other hand, if the photograph does indeed show a B61 live bomb, it would be the first publicly known case of a nuclear weapon accident at an airbase in Europe. By the way, it is not technically called an accident, but a "Bent Spear". In simple terms, it is obvious damage to a nuclear weapon or a nuclear component that requires serious rework, replacement, examination or recertification by the US Department of Energy.

The picture shows a B61 bomb strapped to a cart. The rear part is significantly curved. You can also see that the bomb is missing part of the tail fins. The pink tape may conceal other damage. The men have EOD lettering on their uniforms. It hints that they are EOD officers.

The B61 has good defensive mechanisms and insensitive explosives that will not detonate on impact or when exposed to fire. The probability of detonation is estimated at 1 in over a million. Although it increases considerably in the event of damage to the weapon.

It is not a secret that US nuclear weapons are stored in Europe. Only the location remains secret, but not always. The US Air Force's B61 nuclear bombs have been stationed at the Volkel base for decades. There are a number of documents confirming this. Moreover, in 2013, two former prime ministers and the Dutch Defence Minister admitted to storing nuclear bombs.

In total, about 100 bombs are stored in six air bases in Europe. In addition to the Netherlands, they are located in Germany, Italy, Turkey and Belgium. Crews train to load them onto planes and fly them, but the nukes remain in US possession.

The B61 is a variable-yield bomb that exists in 12 modifications. For example, the B61-10 can have a yield from 0.3 to 170 kilotons and the strategic variant B61-7 can have a yield up to 340 kilotons.

The US is now working to modernize its nuclear arsenal, so the B61-12 bombs with a yield of 0.3 / 1.5 / 10 / 50 kilotons will soon appear in Europe. The carriers are F15E Strike Eagle fighters, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-35B Lightning II and B-2 Spirit strategic bomber.

Source: FAS