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Could somebody explain in simple terms why modern nuke can’t be delivered by any aircraft capable of carrying its weight?

by ffitch 3y ago

s4mw1se 3y ago
Yeah it’s because defense contractors need to keep U.S. tax dollars flowing into their families pockets and not yours
greedo 3y ago
The control systems to arm the device (authorize its use) are designed to be very strict.
dmix 3y ago
The munition in question is basically on every major platform > The B61 has been deployed by a variety of US military aircraft. US aircraft cleared for its use have included the B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit, B-52 Stratofortress, F/A-18 Hornet, A-6 Intruder, A-4 Skyhawk, F-111, F-15E Strike Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon and the F-35A. As part of NATO Nuclear Weapons Sharing, German and Italian Panavia Tornado aircraft can also carry B61s. The B61 can fit inside the F-22 Raptor's weapons bays and will also be carried by the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.
Veserv 3y ago
In a pinch, that is probably sufficient. But presumably the bomb has some mount and you would want to validate that and the bomb door/release mechanism. You probably also have some sort of targeting system, guidance control, arming system to integrate all which probably require some sort of validation. You would probably also want certification to validate the operational characteristics of the aircraft carrying the bomb, e.g. range, flight performance, detection, capacity. And seriously, it is a nuke, better safe than sorry. If you can test it ahead of time you do that.
ffitch 3y ago
To clarify my question, the article speaks about 10+ years of intense effort to certify F35, which probably means more than just new safety protocols or a mounting mechanism. Further, it says that F35 is the first nuclear capable Gen 5 fighter ever. If it means what I think it does, neither China nor Russia have figured a way to put nukes on their fifth gen fighters, and those guys are not known for being overly cautious when they are behind in arms race.
TMWNN 3y ago
I don't know the answer either, but I do know that such a distinction goes back to the very first bombs. Only "Silverplate" B-29s were certified to carry atomic weapons. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverplate https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverplate>

Could somebody explain in simple terms why modern nuke can’t be delivered by any aircraft capable of carrying its weight?

by ffitch 3y ago

Could somebody explain in simple terms why modern nuke can’t be delivered by any aircraft capable of carrying its weight?

s4mw1se 3y ago

Yeah it’s because defense contractors need to keep U.S. tax dollars flowing into their families pockets and not yours

greedo 3y ago

The control systems to arm the device (authorize its use) are designed to be very strict.

dmix 3y ago

The munition in question is basically on every major platform > The B61 has been deployed by a variety of US military aircraft. US aircraft cleared for its use have included the B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit, B-52 Stratofortress, F/A-18 Hornet, A-6 Intruder, A-4 Skyhawk, F-111, F-15E Strike Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon and the F-35A. As part of NATO Nuclear Weapons Sharing, German and Italian Panavia Tornado aircraft can also carry B61s. The B61 can fit inside the F-22 Raptor's weapons bays and will also be carried by the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.

Veserv 3y ago

In a pinch, that is probably sufficient. But presumably the bomb has some mount and you would want to validate that and the bomb door/release mechanism. You probably also have some sort of targeting system, guidance control, arming system to integrate all which probably require some sort of validation. You would probably also want certification to validate the operational characteristics of the aircraft carrying the bomb, e.g. range, flight performance, detection, capacity. And seriously, it is a nuke, better safe than sorry. If you can test it ahead of time you do that.

ffitch 3y ago

To clarify my question, the article speaks about 10+ years of intense effort to certify F35, which probably means more than just new safety protocols or a mounting mechanism. Further, it says that F35 is the first nuclear capable Gen 5 fighter ever. If it means what I think it does, neither China nor Russia have figured a way to put nukes on their fifth gen fighters, and those guys are not known for being overly cautious when they are behind in arms race.

TMWNN 3y ago

I don't know the answer either, but I do know that such a distinction goes back to the very first bombs. Only "Silverplate" B-29s were certified to carry atomic weapons. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverplate https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverplate>