The House bill requires completion of the restoration of the nuclear capabilities of bombers by 2029.
For three dozen American B-52H Stratofortress bombers , converted to release only conventional munitions under a treaty with Russia, plan to return nuclear weapons.
As reported by Defense News, the respective Senate and House defense policy bills for fiscal year 2025 would require the Air Force to make these conventional bombers part of the nuclear triad again.
“Lawmakers are seeking to expand the US nuclear arsenal, taking into account the suspension of the treaty with Russia and the rapid expansion of strategic warhead production in China,” the publication explains.
The House bill would require the Air Force to complete rebuilding its bomber nuclear capability by 2029.
The Senate Armed Services Committee voted to advance its version of the bill with a similar provision that would restore nuclear capability to the entire fleet of B-52s, which are the oldest bombers flying since the early 1960s.< /p>
During the Cold War, the US Air Force operated nuclear-armed Stratofortress aircraft along the edge of Soviet airspace.
Recall that NATO is negotiating to deploy more nuclear weapons in the face of the threat from Russia and China.
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