Italian website: America successfully tests dropping a nuclear bomb using an F-35 | policy

A report published by the Italian website “Shinari Economici” revealed that the United States announced the success of a decisive test, which was the dropping of a “B61-12” tactical nuclear bomb (an ineffective model) by the F-35A stealth fighter.

The test took place in the American Nevada desert, which confirms for the first time the full operational readiness of the “nuclear strike” capability of a fifth-generation fighter.

Writer Fabio Lugano explained in his report that the F-35A is the only stealth fighter capable of carrying an atomic bomb, and the tests conducted on it in Nevada confirm its distinction as “dual-use.”

Special abilities

The writer pointed out that the tests conducted in the Nevada desert between August 19 and 21, 2025 were coordinated with the “National Nuclear Security Administration” and were not just a formality, but rather constituted a decisive practical verification of the weapon system.

The most prominent element, which is considered an absolute precedent, was the “thermal pre-conditioning” of the munition before it was transported on board the F-35A. By formulating a specific technique, they verified that the bomb could withstand environmental conditions and perform the task well.

The tests, which were conducted in the Nevada desert between August 19 and 21, 2025 and were coordinated with the National Nuclear Security Administration, were not just a formality, but rather constituted a decisive practical verification of the weapon system.

The writer emphasized that this development made the F-35E a “dual-capable” platform, that is, capable of operating in both conventional and nuclear war scenarios.

This is a detail that changes the balance of power – the writer continues – as this fighter is the first fifth-generation (stealth) aircraft ever to obtain this privilege.

The writer wondered: What about competitors? He pointed out that while Washington is approving and field testing its combination of stealth and tactical nuclear deterrence, the Chinese J-20 or the Russian Su-57 have not yet obtained an official license to carry out similar operations, which means that the Americans have a great technological and strategic superiority.

He concluded that the fundamental difference is the officially approved integration of tasks. Although Russia (via the Su-57) and China (J-20) possess fifth-generation fighters with stealth capabilities, neither of them has yet officially obtained a certificate for the transfer and use of tactical nuclear weapons.