Why Do Countries Maintain Bombers Capable of Dropping Nuclear Weapons?

Many argue that if nuclear missiles are so reliable, why do countries that possess such missiles still maintain bomber planes that can also drop nuclear weapons?

The Reliability of Nuclear Missiles

Nuclear missiles, once launched, are nearly impossible to stop. This makes them an invaluable and potent component of a nation's arsenal. However, this reliance on missile systems also raises concerns about the potential vulnerabilities in their system. To address these concerns, countries maintain a variety of strategic means, including bombers.

The Importance of Manned Bombers

There are at least three reasons why countries maintain a manned bomber capability, independent of their reliance on long-range nuclear missiles.

1. Diverse Threat Management

The concept of the Nuclear Triad involves maintaining a combination of nuclear capabilities, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and aircraft-delivered nuclear weapons. This approach ensures that any adversary cannot focus solely on countering one specific threat. If a sudden major breakthrough in anti-missile defenses were to occur, the diversification of defensive research and development (RD) programs reduces the likelihood of significant breakthroughs against any single threat.

2. Recall and Re-targeting Capabilities

Unlike missiles, manned bombers have the capability to recall and re-target in-flight. This flexibility is a significant advantage in times of crisis. While the recall and re-targeting capabilities of manned bombers have not been used recently, they have been employed in rare occasions to make a statement or to demonstrate resolve. In such scenarios, the ability to adjust the strike targets based on real-time battlefield conditions can be crucial.

3. Target Differentiation and Precision

Manned bombers are also valuable for precisely targeting non-city-scale objectives. Unlike missiles, which are often designed to be city- or infrastructure-destroying weapons, bomber aircraft can deliver nuclear payloads with greater precision. This precision can be crucial in situations where the objective is to strike a specific military target or base, rather than a citywide bombing campaign. This ability is particularly important in scenarios involving conventional wars, such as those in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Conventional vs. Nuclear Missions

While bombers are primarily used for delivering conventional ordnance, they do play a critical role in modern warfare. In recent conflicts, such as in Vietnam, Iraq (twice), and Afghanistan, it was conventional bombs that were dropped more frequently. This pattern is also expected in potential future conflicts with countries like North Korea and Iran. However, in the event of a full-scale nuclear war, the outcome will likely be determined by missiles rather than bombers.

Retaliatory Strike Capability

The primary reason for maintaining a manned bomber fleet is the ability to deliver a retaliatory strike. In the event of a first strike by a potential adversary, the nation with nuclear-capable bombers can ensure that it has a reliable means to retaliate. For example, if Russia were to launch a first strike, the United States would want to be assured that its bombers can reach their targets without the risk of being intercepted or destroyed in their silos before launch. This capability extends to other nations that follow similar doctrines.

Historical Context

During the Cold War, the Strategic Air Command kept B-52 bombers in constant readiness, with aircraft maintained in standby patterns. In the event of an escalation, the bombers would leave their standby positions and proceed to their designated targets. This operational posture was designed to ensure that nuclear strike capabilities could be quickly mobilized.

The Differences in Weaponry

It is also important to note the differences in the types of nuclear weapons carried by bombers versus missiles. Bombers such as the B-61 carry a lower-yield warhead with a yield of 400 kilotons (kt), while the more modern W80 has a yield of 150 kt. By contrast, the Minuteman III missiles, which are part of the US nuclear arsenal, carry multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs) with yields ranging from 350 kt to 3.2 megatons (mt). The higher yields of nuclear missiles are specifically designed to obliterate major urban areas or multiple targets.

In summary, the maintenance of manned bomber fleets capable of delivering nuclear weapons serves multiple strategic purposes, including diversifying nuclear capabilities, ensuring flexibility in the event of an adversaries' first strike, and providing the means for precise targeting of critical military assets. While nuclear missiles are highly reliable, the combination of these factors underscores why countries continue to invest in their bomber capabilities.