B61-12 Trainer

The B61-12 Trainer program is a key component of the Air Force's nuclear weapons modernization efforts, as detailed in Line Item 354050 of the FY 2026 Department of Defense budget. This program supports the procurement and sustainment of training assets necessary for the safe handling, maintenance, and operational proficiency of the B61-12 nuclear bomb, which is undergoing a Life Extension Program (LEP). The primary objective is to ensure that Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) and other relevant personnel are fully trained and certified in the latest procedures associated with the B61-12 variant, which includes a guided Tail Kit Assembly (TKA) and updated bomb assembly features.

The B61-12 Trainer line item funds the acquisition of B61-12 Type 3C trainers, Type 3E ground handling/aircraft loading trainers, and associated spares. These trainers are non-nuclear, inert replicas designed to simulate the physical characteristics and handling requirements of the operational B61-12 bomb. The program also procures ancillary test and handling equipment, as well as life-cycle sustainment spare parts to support ongoing training and maintenance operations. These assets are essential for maintaining nuclear surety and operational readiness, particularly for aircraft and weapons maintenance crews who are responsible for the custody and deployment of nuclear weapons.

Integration and oversight of the B61-12 Trainer program are managed through a joint effort between the Air Force, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Department of Energy (DOE), specifically the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). The B61 LEP Project Officers Group (POG) coordinates the programmatic integration, ensuring that both the warhead and the tail kit assembly meet current mission requirements. The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC) is tasked with the development, acquisition, and delivery of the guided TKA, as well as the technical integration and qualification of the All Up Round (AUR) for fielding on multiple platforms.

Within the B61-12 Trainer budget line, funding is allocated to several subcomponents. Program Support Costs (PSC) cover contractor services and engineering support, which are necessary for the ongoing development, qualification, and fielding of trainer assets. Ancillary Equipment funding supports the procurement of spares and specialized test/handling equipment, ensuring that training operations can be conducted without interruption due to equipment shortages or failures. Hardware funding is divided between the Tail Kit Assembly (TKA) and Bomb Assembly (NNSA), with concurrent procurement required to meet training and fielding schedules. Both subcomponents must be purchased and manufactured before they can be assembled into complete AUR trainers.

The program also addresses issues related to Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS), material shortages, and obsolescence, which are critical for sustaining long-term reliability and availability of training assets. Funding may be used to support flight testing and reliability improvement initiatives, as well as to requalify production lines in response to evolving NNSA requirements. The complexity of requalifying the NNSA production line has impacted delivery timelines, resulting in schedule extensions and increased costs to complete the program through FY 2030.

Justification for the FY 2026 funding request includes the need to meet emergent AFGSC requirements for additional trainers and spares, as well as to support ongoing operations and maintenance. The program's cost has increased due to historical risk factors associated with NNSA full cost reimbursable requirements and the need to requalify production capabilities. To promote efficiencies and align with Executive Order 14222, the FY 2026 request was reduced for Advisory and Assistance Services, reflecting a commitment to government cost efficiency initiatives.