The U.S. is increasingly upgrading its atomic arsenal, which many believe will inevitably lead to war. This includes the adoption of the B61 Model 12, a precision-guided atomic bomb that will cost $1 trillion over the next 30 years, the Daily Mail reported.
The B61 Model 12 is part of the new weapons program approved by the Obama administration, which includes the development of four other atomic warheads to be developed within the next three decades. The B61 Model 12 boasts a sophisticated technology that includes a radar and maneuverable fins, as well as mechanisms that allow it to be adjusted based on the target and the degree of destruction required.
Aside from its "smart" credentials, what sets the atomic warhead apart from old nuclear bombs is its size. The bomb is reportedly on its lowest possible setting, which is only two percent as powerful as the bomb used on Hiroshima, according to The New York Times. The government is framing the development of this small, smart atomic bomb as one that is aligned with President Barack Obama's pledge to reduce American atomic capability. Obama vowed back in 2010 not to develop "new nuclear warheads or pursue new military missions or new capabilities," as stated in this White House press statement.
However, critics - including some of the Obama administration's previous staff members - point out that this variable, as well as the capability for target accuracy, make its use all the more tempting. The argument is that it can precipitate a nuclear arms race, as highlighted by North Korea's recent nuclear test.
