The 72nd Test and Evaluation Squadron test loads a new nuclear-capable weapons delivery system for the B-2 Spirit bomber at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. Credit: US Air Force, photo by Airman 1st Class Devan Halstead.

The US Air Force’s (USAF) B-2A Spirit stealth bomber aircraft has released B61-12 joint test assembly (JTA) using a new nuclear capability.

The demonstration was conducted as part of a capstone test at the Tonopah Test Range on 14 June. 

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

It was led by the 72nd Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES) in collaboration with the 509th Bomb Wing (BW), Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC), Boeing and Sandia National Labs.

Known as Radar Aided Targeting System (RATS), the new nuclear tactic can only be tested on a B-2A bomber aircraft.

This capability enhances weapon guidance precision in surroundings with reduced global positioning system (GPS) availability.

See Also:

USAF 72nd TES B-2 weapons flight commander captain David Durham said: “We flew multiple sorties testing RATS capability over last nine months and collected test points on its performance.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“Using RATS for JTA release demonstrated what new capability brings to the warfighter.

“This test was also the first release of the production unit of B61-12 JTA.”

The team also conducted a flight test for the RATS Application Tool, which was designed by the 72d TES.

This tool helps the aircraft pilot by providing an early indicator of RATS’ functionality while further validating that the system is operating correctly before the weapon is released. 

72nd TES lead analysis software developer master sergeant Matthew Gibson said: “Due to the success of this product, we’ve received requests to build tools for other in-flight capabilities from the 509th BW and 325th Weapons Squadron.” 

The future B61-12 JTA releases will be conducted during annual Weapon System Evaluation Programme flight tests, under the surveillance tests of the US Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration.