NNSA, Air Force Complete Testing Milestone on B61-12 LEP

The National Nuclear Security Administration and the Air Force completed a series of eight flight tests of the refurbished B61-12 nuclear bomb in December, marking another milestone in the bomb’s life extension program. The tests, known as Vibration Fly Around/Instrumented Measurement Vehicle tests, were conducted at Eglin Air Force Base and Edwards Air Force Base from July to December of last year, providing flight environment data for the life extension program. The NNSA said the tests are key preparation for the bomb’s first flight test drop scheduled later in Fiscal Year 2015. “These tests are a major achievement for the B61-12 LEP to evaluate flight environments,” NNSA Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs Don Cook said in a statement. “This achievement within the B61-12 Life Extension Program is an important milestone that demonstrates the nation’s commitment to maintain the B61 and provides assurance to our allies.”