Nuclear (Page 2)

Latest in Nuclear

Whether or not the U.S. Air Force's new Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) will carry multiple warheads remains to be seen now that a key arms control treaty has expired, but the service is otherwise hopeful that the Sentinel program is now on the right track.
LGM-30 Minuteman III

Number Of Nuclear Warheads New Sentinel ICBMs Will Carry Now An Open Question

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 25, 2026

As well as a second aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald Ford, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors have also arrived in theater, according to multiple reports. The stealth jets took off from RAF Lakenheath in England yesterday, confirmed by open-source flight tracking data and aircraft spotters, and are now at an Israeli Air Force base in the south of Israel.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

F-16s Arrive To Protect Diego Garcia, F-22s Forward Deploy To Israel

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 25, 2026

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Sea, Feb. 15, 2026. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Iran Signals Possible “Fast Deal” To Be Made In Nuclear Talks As U.S. Military Build-Up Grinds On

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 23, 2026

The construction of new silos for the U.S. Air Force's future LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) means that units charged with defending them will have to update their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
LGM-30 Minuteman III

Security Forces Guarding ICBMs Need Fresh Tactics To Defend New Sentinel Silos

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 19, 2026

Looking like a scene in a sci-fi movie, and in what is clearly a unique operation, dubbed Operation Windlord, USAF C-17s have been tasked with transporting a micro nuclear reactor.
Nuclear Policy

C-17 Airlifts A Micro Nuclear Reactor For The First Time

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Feb 15, 2026

U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command says it is prepared to load more warheads onto Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) and restore nuclear weapons capability to the entire B-52 bomber fleet, if called upon to do so.
LGM-30 Minuteman III

USAF Ready To Make All B-52s Nuclear-Capable, Load ICBMs With Multiple Warheads If Directed

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 12, 2026

China is testing nuclear warheads: US
Nuclear Policy

China Secretly Testing Nuclear Weapons And Covering Its Tracks, U.S. Alleges (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 6, 2026

A key nuclear arms control treaty between the United States and Russia has expired today, creating the potential for significant changes in U.S. force posture.
Nuclear Ballistic Missiles

What The Sunset Of Key U.S.-Russia Nuclear Deal Could Mean For America’s Stockpile

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 5, 2026

The U.S. Air Force general who oversees America's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force sees a long future ahead for the new LGM-35A Sentinel after it eventually enters service, but has also acknowledged challenges.
LGM-30 Minuteman III

Troubled Sentinel ICBM Program Still Being Restructured Nearly Two Years After Cost Breach

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 27, 2026

The U.S. Air Force is in the process of taking back responsibility for the Airborne Command Post (ABNCP) mission, better known by the nickname Looking Glass.
Nuclear Command And Control

New E-4C Doomsday Plane Could Take On Airborne ICBM Launcher Role

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 27, 2026

A Transporter erector launcher carrying the Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missiles, capable of carrying an 8-9 ton warhead and destroying underground bunkers, are featured during a ceremony marking the 76th Armed Forces Day held at Seoul Air Base. South Korea showcased its largest ballistic missile for the first time as it marked Armed Forces Day in an apparent warning against North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. The ground-to-ground missile, dubbed a monster for its size, had been shrouded in secrecy due to its strategic importance. It is known to be able to carry a warhead weighing about 8 tons and capable of destroying underground bunkers. The transporter erector launchers crawled across the air base, each of them carrying a massive canister, apparently housing the "high-power" and "high-precision" missile known to be able to target anywhere in North Korea.
North Korea Nuclear Crisis

Ballistic Missile With Absolutely Massive Bunker-Buster Warhead Fielded By South Korea: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 19, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump says he is unafraid to use lethal force against Iran in response to its brutal crackdown on protesters.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

World Waits For Trump’s Next Move On Iran As Protests Grow Deadlier

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 12, 2026

Developed during the Cold War, the Hind-G1 was a dedicated NBC reconnaissance version of the Mi-24, first flown in prototype form in 1978.
Battlefield Nuclear Weapons

The Story Of Ukraine’s Rare Mi-24 Hind Radiation Detection Helicopters

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 10, 2026

PAC JF-17 Thunder multirole combat aircraft, a fighter jet made in China and Pakistan. The Pakistani plane is painted with the country's flag as it belongs to Pakistan Air Force. The aircraft performed a flight demo, flying demonstration at the 53rd Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport in France on June 2019. The advanced and sophisticated fighter jet is developed jointly by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC) of China.
Nuclear Proliferation

JF-17 Thunder Fighter To Be Offered To Saudi Arabia: Report

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 8, 2026

A screen grab from a video shows installation of the Oreshnik missile system on December 30, 2025 in Belarus. Belarus has placed a military unit equipped with the Russian-made Oreshnik mobile ground-based missile system on combat duty, according to official information. The unitâs launch, communications, security, and technical crews completed additional training before becoming operational. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has previously said that up to 10 Oreshnik ballistic missile systems could be deployed in the country.
Nuclear Ballistic Missiles

Russia Claims Oreshnik Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile Now “On Combat Duty” In Belarus

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 30, 2025

President Donald Trump has rolled out plans for new Trump class warships for the U.S. Navy.
Nuclear

What We Know About The Trump Class “Battleship”

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 23, 2025

French authorities reportedly took defensive measures against five drones flying over an extremely sensitive base that is home to the nuclear submarines that make up the nation's second-strike deterrent force.
Nuclear Propulsion

Nuclear Submarine Base Drone Incursion Prompts French Military Response

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 5, 2025

French authorities have provided the first real look at the latest version of the Air-Sol Moyenne Portee (ASMP; or Medium-Range Air-to-Surface) ramjet-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile.
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

France’s New Nuclear-Armed Supersonic Cruise Missile Seen Clearly For The First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 13, 2025

China's growing weapons programs puts pressure on intelligence community.
ICBMs

Can U.S. Intel Keep Up With China’s Tsunami Of Weapons Developments?

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Nov 7, 2025

A key aspect of the Trump administration's Golden Dome missile defense initiative is ensuring America's ability to launch retaliatory nuclear strikes, the nominee to become the next head of U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) has stressed.
Nuclear Policy

Golden Dome Missile Shield Key To Ensuring Nuclear Second Strike Capability: U.S. Admiral

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 6, 2025

MOSCOW, RUSSA - SEPTEMBER 02: The warhead cruise missili (1977) on display during an exhibition titled "70 Years of the Atomic Industry: A Chain Reaction of Success" organised by Rosatom agency at Manege Central Exhibition Centre in Moscow, Russia, on September, 02,2015. (Photo by Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

Experts Explain How Long It Would Take Russia To Resume Nuclear Weapons Detonation Tests

By Howard Altman

Updated on Nov 5, 2025

Russia has launched the first of its new Project 08951 class of nuclear-powered submarine, named Khabarovsk, which is intended to be armed with the Poseidon nuclear-powered, nuclear-tipped, ultra-long-endurance torpedo. At this stage, details of the new submarine remain scarce, but its completion, though long delayed, reflects the continued priority Moscow is assigning to strategic weapons systems, including novel ones without direct comparison.
Nuclear Propulsion

Russia’s New Nuclear Torpedo-Carrying Submarine Has Been Launched

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Nov 3, 2025

Russia has used its ground-launched 9M729 cruise missile to strike targets in Ukraine multiple times in recent months. This is the conclusion of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and it also tallies with reports from independent analysts who have been tracking the use of the missile, the original deployment of which led to the United States walking away from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces, or INF, Treaty in 2019.
SSC-X-8 Screwdriver

Russia’s Treaty-Busting Screwdriver Cruise Missile Used Against Ukraine: Officials

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 31, 2025

President Donald Trump has come out in support of a future fleet of South Korean nuclear-powered submarines.
Nuclear Policy

South Korea’s Nuclear Submarine Ambitions Take Major Step Forward

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 31, 2025

Nuclear test done underground at the Nevada Test Site.
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

Experts Explain How Reviving Nuclear Weapons Tests Would Actually Happen

By Howard Altman

Posted on Oct 30, 2025

President Vladimir Putin says that Russia successfully tested one of its Poseidon nuclear-powered, nuclear-tipped, ultra-long-endurance torpedoes yesterday. The Russian leader’s revelation comes just two days after the announcement of a first long-range test for the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, and is part of a wider pattern of recent nuclear signaling by the Kremlin.
Nuclear Propulsion

Powered Test Of Poseidon Nuclear Torpedo, Putin Claims

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 29, 2025

Russia has said that it conducted the long-awaited test of its mysterious Burevestnik cruise missile last week, claiming that it flew for 8,700 miles. The missile, claimed to be nuclear-powered, is said to have remained in the air for around 15 hours. For the time being, we don’t know if those statements are factually accurate and, moreover, details about how the missile actually works remain very scarce. However, the claimed test has led to boasts about the missile’s performance from Russian President Vladimir Putin, while his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, called upon Putin to end the war in Ukraine “instead of testing missiles.”
Ground-Launched Nuclear Cruise Missile

Skyfall Nuclear-Powered Cruise Missile Long-Range Test Claimed By Russia

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 27, 2025

South Korea has launched its biggest and most ambitious submarine yet, the Jang Yeong-sil, as the first of the second batch of its locally designed and built KSS-III program.
SLBMs

South Korea Has Launched Its Most Advanced Submarine Ever

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 23, 2025

Radiant Nuclear reactor for the US Army's bases.
Nuclear Policy

Army To Bring Nuclear Microreactors To Its Bases By 2028

By Eric Tegler

Posted on Oct 23, 2025

A Russian strategic nuclear forces (SNF) officer inspects a launching tube in the launching center of intercontinental ballistic missiles 20 March 1992 in Drovjanaja, near Cita, in Siberia. The strategic nuclear forces of the Russian Federation consist of ground intercontinental ballistic missiles (IBM) stationary, and also mobile, earth and railway variants of basing, sea and aviation strategic nuclear arms.
ICBMs

Soviets Tested ICBM Silo Defense System That Showered Incoming Warheads With Clouds Of Metal Darts

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 17, 2025

Vladimir Putin claimed Russia will beef up its air defenses to meet the threat from Tomhawk Land Attack cruise missiles provided to Ukraine should that happen.
BGM-109 Tomahawk-N

Tomahawks For Ukraine Talk Elicits New Response From Putin

By Howard Altman

Posted on Oct 10, 2025

A Ukrainian drone hit the cooling tower of the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant in Russia, the latest in a series of incidents at nuclear plants in the region.
Nuclear Power

Russian Nuke Plant Latest To Suffer War-Inflicted Damage

By Howard Altman

Posted on Oct 7, 2025

India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the country’s main military research and development agency, announced the successful test firing of an Agni-Prime from a rail-based mobile launcher system, on September 24. The test, which the DRDO says involved a “full operational scenario,” was carried out at an undisclosed site in the country in collaboration with India’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
India-Pakistan Nuclear Standoff

India Just Launched A Ballistic Missile From A Train

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 25, 2025

Plane spotters in Fort Worth, Texas, caught a glimpse of something rare yesterday, one of the U.S. Air Force's four E-4B Nightwatch jets flying completely stripped of paint and with much of its skin covered in a green zinc chromate coating.
Nuclear Command And Control

Rare ‘Naked’ E-4B ‘Doomsday Plane’ Spotted Flying In Texas

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 18, 2025

China officially unveiled a nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) called the JL-1 at its sprawling military parade in Beijing yesterday.
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

China’s JL-1 Air Launched Ballistic Missile’s Official Debut Is A Big Deal

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 4, 2025

China’s New DF-61 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Breaks Cover
ICBMs

China’s New DF-61 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Breaks Cover

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 3, 2025

USAF Hopeful Second B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Will Fly Before Year End
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

USAF Hopeful Second B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Will Fly Before Year End

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 27, 2025

A high-security vault concealed inside a standard 20-foot shipping container is in development to give U.S. military commanders a new way to safely store nuclear weapons and other extremely sensitive assets, even at far-flung locations.
Nuclear Bombs

U.S. Building Container Vaults To Deploy U.S. Nuclear Bombs To Remote Bases

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jul 23, 2025

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Thomas Clewell, 495th Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, marshals an F-35A Lightning II aircraft at RAF Lakenheath, England, Nov. 19, 2024. The 495th FGS is essential to generating daily sorties, enabling pilots to train and maintain readiness to respond quickly and effectively when called upon.
B61-12

Major Indications Nuclear Bombs Are Back At USAF Air Base In England

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 21, 2025

KC-707 refueling F15 Baz.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

USAF Denies It Refueled Israel’s Fighters During War With Iran

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jul 16, 2025

The Pentagon is waiting for comprehensive battle damage assessment to see how well the MOP worked against Iranian nuclear facilities and how it can be improved.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator’s Results From Iran Strike Will Inform Its Future: Defense Officials

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jul 10, 2025

Image of HMS Vengeance returning to HMNB Clyde, after completing Operational Sea Training. The trials were conducted in Scottish exercise areas. HMS Vengeance is the fourth and final Vanguard-class submarine of the Royal Navy. Vengeance carries the Trident ballistic missile, the UK's nuclear deterrent.
Nuclear Policy

UK And France To Join Forces For Nuclear Deterrence

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 10, 2025

Los Alamos scientist Gary Stradling gives us his exclusive insights into the Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Los Alamos Scientist’s Insights On The GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 3, 2025

F-15Is on a mission to Iran.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Israel Vows To Maintain Air Superiority Over Iran

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 27, 2025

The defense of Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar against Iranian ballistic missiles included the largest volley of Patriot air defense interceptors in U.S. military history, the Pentagon's top general told reporters.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Largest Patriot Missile Salvo In U.S. Military History Launched Defending Al Udeid Air Base Against Iranian Attack

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jun 26, 2025

The Pentagon has shared extensive new information about the use of 30,000-pound GBU-57/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker buster bombs in recent strikes on Iran, a mission it says was 15 years in the making.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Everything We Just Learned About The GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator Strikes On Iran

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 26, 2025

There are conflicting reports about the extent of the damage at Iran's nuclear facilities in the wake of U.S. and Israeli. attacks.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Claims Swirl Over Extent Of Damage From Attacks On Iranian Nuclear Facilities (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jun 25, 2025

B-2 hawaii diverted during decoy operation
Iran Nuclear Crisis

B-2 Used As Decoy For Iran Strike Mission Is Stuck In Hawaii

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 25, 2025

U.K. Royal Air Force F-35B Lightning.
Nuclear Bombs

Royal Air Force Goes Nuclear With F-35A

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 25, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding the Marine One presidential helicopter and departing the White House on June 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. Less than 12 hours after announcing a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, Trump is traveling to the Netherlands to attend the NATO leaders' summit.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Turbulent Start To Iran-Israel Ceasefire But It’s Holding, At Least For Now

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 24, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump said he has engineered a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Israel-Iran Ceasefire Is Now In Effect (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 24, 2025

Satellite imagery shows clear evidence that Iran took steps to seal off its nuclear enrichment facility at Fordow in the days leading up to the U.S. strikes, which would have helped shield it against a potential ground raid.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Iran’s Fordow Nuclear Site Likely Sealed Up Before B-2 Strikes

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 24, 2025

The Israeli military said it had struck command centers belonging to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and other domestic security forces responsible for “maintaining the regime’s stability.”
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Israel Strikes Key Iranian Command And Control Sites In Tehran (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jun 23, 2025

US base in qatar attacked by iranian ballistic missiles
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Iran Launches Ballistic Missile Revenge Strike On Al Udeid Air Base In Qatar (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jun 23, 2025

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Air Force Gen. Dan "Razin" Caine have now briefed TWZ and other reporters on the historic strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last night, dubbed Operation Might Hammer.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

B-2 Strikes On Iran: What We Know About Operation Midnight Hammer (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway, Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 22, 2025

B-2s bombed iran
Iran Nuclear Crisis

U.S. Has Attacked Iran’s Nuclear Facilities (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jun 22, 2025

At least two separate groups of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers are currently heading westward across the Pacific Ocean, but their exact final destination is currently unclear.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

B-2 Bombers Head West Across Pacific Amidst Iran Crisis

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 21, 2025

Iran's nuclear scientists were assassinated in their homes using an undisclosed weapon.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Top Iranian Nuclear Scientists Killed By Secret Israeli Weapon: Report

By Howard Altman

Updated on Jun 20, 2025

At least one Iranian ballistic missile impacted the port city of Haifa in northern Israel.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Iranian Ballistic Missiles Hit “Strategic Points” In Israeli Port City Of Haifa (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jun 20, 2025

B-2 bomber
Iran Nuclear Crisis

U.S. Decision On Striking Iran To Be Made In “Next Two Weeks” (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Jun 19, 2025

Iran fired at least one ballistic missile with a warhead containing multiple submunitions as part of a particularly destructive barrage on Israel earlier today.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Iran Just Used Ballistic Missiles With Cluster Warheads To Strike Israel

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 19, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump is edging closer to a decision on whether to attack Iran.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

World Waits As Trump Mulls Direct Military Action Against Iran

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 19, 2025

C-130 from the IAF dropping material via airdrop.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Could Israeli C-130s Drop GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator Bunker Busters?

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 18, 2025

As Israel's campaign of strikes on Iran continues, a question emerges about whether some level of additional action may be required on the ground to meet the stated goal of preventing the regime in Tehran from being able to acquire nuclear weapons.
Iran Nuclear Crisis

Loose Nukes In Iran Is A Scenario U.S. Special Operators Have Been Training For

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 18, 2025