The National Nuclear Security Administration announced this week that the first B61-13 bombs had completed “diamond stamping,” the stringent quality control process for US nuclear weapons.

Just over a year ago, the United States military received its first B61-13 nuclear gravity bomb, the newest version of the B61 family of nuclear weapons. The delivery was nearly a year ahead of its original target date, and less than two years after the program was first announced.

According to the US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), the B61-13 remains one of the “most rapidly developed and fielded weapons since the Cold War.”

The agency further announced this week that the program continued to remain ahead of schedule and that it had completed “diamond stamping” for the “canned subassemblies (CSA)” for the nuclear weapon. Work on the sealed secondary stage capsules used in the thermonuclear weapons was completed three months ahead of schedule at the Y-12 National Security Complex near Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

About the B61-13 Nuclear Bomb

The original B61 bomb can be deployed from both US strategic bomber aircraft—the B-2 Spirit, the B-21 Raider, and originally the B-1B Lancer, although the latter bomber’s nuclear capability was disabled in the 1990s in an arms control agreement with Russia—and from the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F-35A Lightning II fighter jets. The B61-13 bomb is currently only approved for use from bomber aircraft.

The B61-13 has a “variable yield,” meaning its power level can be set ahead of a mission; it has a maximum yield of approximately 360 kilotons. It was designed as a “bunker buster” bomb, intended for use against heavily fortified command centers and deeply buried military infrastructure or dispersed military installations rather than the wholesale destruction of enemy cities.

“The progress on the B61-13 program demonstrates the Nuclear Security Enterprise’s ability to respond to evolving geopolitical requirements with speed and precision,” NNSA Administrator Brandon Williams said.

The first production unit was assembled at the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, Texas, and the program continues to meet critical deadlines.

“Completing the 2026 baseline deliverables ahead of schedule is a clear indicator of discipline and operational focus,” Williams added. “This milestone directly supports our goals to modernize our nuclear deterrent and sends a message to our adversaries that our national defense remains agile, secure, and effective.”

What Is “Diamond Stamping” on a Nuclear Weapon?

Modern two-stage thermonuclear weapons include a “canned subassembly” (CSA) component, which consists of a “secondary stage capsule and other parts sealed (canned) within a thin metal container made of stainless steel or aluminum alloy.” According to the DOE/NNSA, the secondary stage capsule and the “primary” are part of the warhead’s nuclear explosive package.

The “diamond stamping” is the final, rigorous certification process that indicates that the weapon has met all the stringent quality standards required for the US military’s nuclear stockpile. In essence, it serves as the authorized quality control inspection that allows the weapon to be deployed to the Department of Defense (DoD) in the US nuclear stockpile as a “war reserve” quality.

The B61 Is America’s Most Accurate Nuclear Bomb Yet

The B61 remains the “longest-serving and most versatile weapon in America’s nuclear stockpile,” but unlike older unguided bombs, this latest version is equipped with a high-precision Boeing tail kit guidance system. For the B61-13’s primary mission set—bunker-busting—that accuracy might actually matter.

The 13 variant is not a novel weapon. Instead, the NNSA constructs the B61-13 by repurposing the warheads from older Cold War-era weapons, notably the B61-7, which are outfitted with modern safety, security, and guidance features.

The newest version features a higher nuclear yield than past B61 bombs, “providing additional flexibility to the President’s nuclear response options.”

According to the DOE/NNSA, the B61-13 is “one of six ongoing warhead modernization programs” currently being undertaken to “ensure the long-term reliability and effectiveness of the US nuclear weapons stockpile.” The agency touted its record of 100 percent “on-time or ahead-of-time delivery” of the weapons in this decade—a rarity in the defense contracting process!

About the Author: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu has contributed to dozens of newspapers, magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.

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