WASHINGTON, July 16. /TASS/. The United States is developing the first guided nuclear gravity bomb, the director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists told TASS after the tests two weeks ago of the B61-12 bomb, which did not have a warhead.

While the statement of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), part of the United States Department of Energy, portrays "the drop test as just a refurbishment to maintain the B61 bomb, it actually involves development of the US Air Force's first guided nuclear gravity bomb," Hans Kristensen has said.

"The increased accuracy provided by the tail kit means the B61-12 will have enhanced military capabilities and, when combined with the new F-35A fighter-bomber and deployed to Europe in the early 2020s, will represent the most significant NATO nuclear modernization since the 1980s," Kristensen stressed.

The expert also said it’s the same: "the Air Force is the only military branch that has nuclear gravity bombs. So Air Force or US means the same."

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said earlier this week the test of the atomic bomb means that Washington seeks to preserve in Europe nuclear weapons capable of reaching the Russian territory.

Moscow could not leave unnoticed test of the B61-12 atomic bomb the United States conducted in Nevada on July 1, he said. Antonov said the US actions run counter to Washington’s statements about its desire for nuclear disarmament.