The F-35 Is Nuclear Certified: What’s Next? (2024)

With the news that the F-35A Lightning II (aka Panther) is now certified to carry nuclear bombs, some wonder what is next. Especially considering that nuclear bombs helped hasten the end of World War II and that tensions are high between North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) nations and the Russian Federation again.

A new platform for an old role

As the F-16s and Tornados of NATO nations that can pack nuclear bombs are being retired after decades of service, a new aircraft that can pack an atomic bomb in an emergency is necessary. One reason NATO member Germany decided to go with the F-35A versus the Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet in a recent aircraft purchasing contest is the F-35A was developing and now has a nuclear delivery capability in case the world goes mad or as a last resort to stop an invasion effort by an aggressor – like Russia – targeting NATO countries.

Yes, select NATO countries to operate what NATO calls “dual-capable aircraft,” or DCA, which can perform conventional and nuclear roles. The dual-capable aircraft and their trained crews provide “a vital role” for “one of the main components of security guarantees and the indivisibility of security of the whole Euro-Atlantic area.” As the 2022 NATO Strategic Concept states,

This concept is best explained below in this YouTube video:

So, as the F-16s and Tornados come offline again, a new aircraft has to replace them that is dual capable of both nuclear weapons and conventional weapons. With the F-35 being adopted by multiple NATO countries such as Belgium, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, and the United States – the ability of the F-35A model – and the A model only – to drop a nuclear bomb is vital to NATO’s strategy to keep peace in Europe.

Especially with increased tensions between NATO and Russia, the largest nation to follow from the collapse of the Soviet Union. With Russian kinetic aggression towards Ukraine and cyberattacks against NATO countries, NATO must have a credible deterrent.

Tensions rising between NATO and Russia

Russia, on February 24, 2022, invaded Ukraine. As the NATO-Ukraine Council shared on the second anniversary,

"A strong, independent, and democratic Ukraine is vital for the stability of the Euro-Atlantic area. Ukraine’s fight for its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders directly contributes to Euro-Atlantic security."

As such, NATO seeks to resist Russia’s growing aggression. The need for a nuclear deterrent against Russian invasion of NATO nations is sadly increasing, and not just because of Russia's wanton destruction of Ukraine's An-225 Myria.

Additionally, according to March 8 and March 11 The Express, threats of nuclear attack were made by allies of Russian President Vladimir Putin - Vladimir Solovyov and Evgeny Tishkovets. Tishkovets even went so far as to say on March 11 that,

"Today, the weather is ideal for conducting nuclear strikes against NATO countries. The air currents are directed in non-traditional ways, not from the west to the east but from the east to the west. The radioactive clouds will travel towards those countries that are sending arms and mercenaries to fight against our army. The death of our guys shouldn't be the price of victory. We should move up to a higher level of escalation."

Luckily for NATO, the NATO air forces with the F-35A have a low observable, fifth-generation fighter jet that can reply if necessary. Additionally, according to Politico on October 26, 2022, reporting on a leaked diplomatic cable, the nuclear bombs the F-35A will carry have already been moved forward to Europe as 15 NATO members “must not give in to Putin’s nuclear blackmail.”

About the B61-12 + F-35A pairing

One should note that the nuclear weapon the F-35A can carry is the B61-12. Like the conventional Joint Direct Attack Munition (aka JDAM) family, the B61-12 is a guided bomb that can use inertial and GPS guidance plus spin stabilization rockets to land at a specific point up to 15 miles from the launch aircraft. The B61-12 will be carried internally – one in the F-35A's two weapons bays.

Photo: F-35 Joint Program Office

Additionally, the B61-12 can do everything from destroying weapons bunkers to taking out a city or industrial center. Only a few hundred – and according to Popular Mechanics – 230 such nuclear bombs exist.

Considering that the F-35A is a low-observable aircraft that can reduce its radar signature to a small fraction of the F-16 or Tornado, the F-35A can better penetrate air defenses to deliver any payload necessary. The F-35A – like the F-35B jump jet and F-35C catapult launch and arrested landing variants – also comes with a full sensor suite, providing the pilot with maximum situational awareness to avoid threats. Plus, even with one B61-12 in each weapons bay, the F-35A can also pack an air-to-air missile. Below, you can watch a recent Sam Eckholm YouTube on the F-35A:

Considering the US Air Force alone has 354 F-35As on hand and 1,763 planned, according to Air & Space Forces Magazine, nuclear capability is critical for the US Air Force. For other NATO nations, like Belgium and the Netherlands, that will have the F-35A as their only fighter jet – having nuclear capability is a must to contribute fairly to the aforementioned NATO strategic concept.

Bottom line

Ultimately, as Lt. Col. Daniel Jackson, division chief of Headquarters ACC Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, shared in an October 4, 2021, US Air Force statement,

“Having a 5th Generation DCA fighter aircraft with this capability brings an entirely new strategic-level capability that strengthens our nation’s nuclear deterrence mission."

Now, this capability will help deter aggression for not just the United States but other NATO nations.

What is your assessment? Please share in the comment section.