Data Quality87%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the nuclear warheads category.
01 / Overview
B61 Family
Category
Country
Production
1968–
Quantity
3,155
Unit Price (current)
$39.3M↗ 40% inflation · 2012→2025
Original Price
$28.0M (2012)
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
NUCLEAR WARHEADS · COLD WAR
6
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
70
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$39.3M
Original: $28.0M (2012)
Inflation: +%40
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the nuclear warheads category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- Warhead Typethermonuclear two-stage radiation implosion
- Service Entry Year1966
- Weight317 kg
- Length3.6 m
- Diameter338 mm
- In ServiceYes
◈Yield6MOD.6
- Yield340
- Yield Range0.3–340 kt
- ThermonuclearYes
- Boosted FissionYes
- Variable Yield (Dial-a-Yield)Yes
- Enhanced Radiation (Neutron)No
▣Delivery5MOD.5
- Delivery SystemsB-52 Stratofortress, B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit, F-117 Nighthawk, F-111 Aardvark, F/A-18 Hornet, A-7 Corsair II, F-35A Lightning II, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, Panavia Tornado IDS
- MIRV-CompatibleNo
- Missile WarheadNo
- Gravity BombYes
- Artillery ShellNo
◇Safety & Security3MOD.3
◆Production3MOD.3
- Number Built3,155
- First Test1963
- Operators1
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1968Production started
58
years in service
3,155
units produced
5
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 1 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
Operator Countries6country
05 / MASS Score
NUCLEAR WARHEADS RANKING Nuclear Warheads · Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
12NUCLEAR WARHEADS6COLD WAR · NUCLEAR WARHEADS303UNITED STATES · ALL WEAPONS1PRICE · NUCLEAR WARHEADS255PRICE · ALL WEAPONS16PERFORMANCE/PRICE · NUCLEAR WARHEADS
ⓘ Rankings are within theNuclear Warheadscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE7terms
A gravity bomb is a type of bomb that relies on gravity to guide it to its target, using no thrust or lift during its descent.
A high explosive designed to detonate reliably despite external shocks, impacts, or fires, used in nuclear warheads to ensure safety and functionality.
A nuclear warhead feature that prevents detonation from a single point of impact or shock.
A device that prevents nuclear warhead detonation without authorization.
Relating to nuclear weapons that derive destructive power from both fission and fusion reactions, typically used in intercontinental ballistic missiles.
A nuclear warhead feature allowing adjustable explosive yield, typically via selectable charge configurations, to optimize effects for different targets.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources