F-35A战斗机携带2枚B61-12核弹参加训练。
The picture shows F-35A fighter in training with two B61-12 nuclear bombs.
据报道，美国空军宣布F-35A战斗机获得携带核武器的资格认证，标志着它成为全球首款具备核打击能力的五代机，也是首款具备核打击能力的隐身战斗机。紧随其后，美国宣布F-35进入全速生产阶段。
According to reports, the US Air Force announced that the F-35A fighters have been certificated to carry nuclear weapons, marking that they have emerged as the globally inaugural fifth-generation aircraft and stealth fighters with nuclear strike capability. Closely following that, the US declared the commencement of full rate production for the F-35.
提升战术核打击能力
To enhance tactical nuclear strike capability
以往，美国主要使用四代机，如F-16和F-15E战斗机，以及北约其他成员国的四代机，执行B61系列核弹的战术核投放任务。但投放B61系列核弹，必须采用临空轰炸方式。在现有技术条件下，上述四代机将面临对方先进防空系统和五代机的拦截，很可能在接近目标前被击落。如果使用F-35A执行此类任务，可凭借较强的隐身能力和突防能力，增加对手的防御难度。
The US used to mainly employ fourth-generation aircraft, such as F-16 and F-15E fighters, as well as the same generation of aircraft from other NATO member states to conduct tactical nuclear delivery missions involving B61 series nuclear bombs. However, overhead bombing is mandatory for the deployment of this type of nuclear bomb. Under existing technical conditions, the above fourth-generation aircraft would be intercepted by the advanced air defense systems and fifth-generation aircraft from the opponent, and probably be shot down before approaching the targets. With strong stealth ability and penetrating power, the F-35A can intensify the defensive hurdles for the opponent when being used to fulfill such tasks.
此外，F-35A搭载的B61-12核弹性能也得到提升。B61-12核弹是该系列核弹中首款拥有精确制导功能的型号，打击精度据称在10米以内。这使其能够针对抗核加固的地下目标，如战役级或战略级地下指挥中心等进行打击。
Besides, the performance of the B61-12 nuclear bombs carried with the F-35A can be enhanced. The B61-12 nuclear bomb is the first model to offer precise guidance functionality in this series, with an asserted strike precision range of below 10 meters. This enables it to strike hardening underground targets against nuclear weapons, such as campaign or strategic level underground commanding centers.
此外，F-35A获得“核认证”，意味着美军不必像以往那样只能出动战略轰炸机投放核弹，同时，B61-12核弹当量较小，对环境影响相对较小，从理论上降低了核武器使用门槛。值得注意的是，F-35A具备携带核弹和常规炸弹的双重能力，可能导致对手出现误判，进而增加引发核冲突的风险。
Furthermore, the nuclear certification of F-35A signifies that the US military will not be confined to delivering nuclear bombs by strategic bombers as previously. In tandem with this, the B61-12 nuclear bombs featuring a low yield and relatively small environmental implication reduce the threshold for nuclear weapons use theoretically. Notably, the F-35A capable of installing both nuclear and conventional bombs might lead to erroneous judgments of the opponent, thus augmenting the risk of nuclear conflicts.
重点针对欧洲方向
Focusing on European missions
美国空军表示，并非所有F-35A均已获得“核认证”，也并非所有获得认证的飞机都将参与核打击，只有专门指定的中队，才有资格执行核打击任务。
The US Air Force indicated that not all F-35As have obtained the nuclear certification and not all certified aircraft will be involved in nuclear strikes, only specially designated squadrons are qualified to perform such missions.
现阶段，F-35A主要针对欧洲方向执行核任务。根据北约成员国之间的核武器共享协议，美国及包括认证过的欧洲国家的战斗机，可搭载美国在欧洲多国部署的B61系列核弹，对目标国家进行打击。此次F-35A获得“核认证”后，美国明确提出提供延伸核威慑的承诺，实际上是向北约的欧洲成员国提供核保护伞。
The F-35As mainly target European nuclear missions at the current stage. Based on the nuclear weapons sharing arrangements between NATO member states, the fighters of the US and certified European countries are allowed to launch strikes against target countries with the B61 series nuclear bombs, which have been deployed by the US in many European countries. In the wake of the nuclear certification of F-35A, the US made clear its commitment to provide extended nuclear deterrence, tantamount to nuclear protection to the European member states of NATO.
分析人士指出，从技术角度看，美国在太平洋使用核武器时，更可能出动B-2或未来的B-21战略轰炸机。它们的航程更远、载弹量更大，可提供更多样化的核打击手段。但也不排除未来美国会在太平洋地区部署F-35A用于实施核威慑。
Analysts pointed out that from a technical point of view, the US is more likely to deploy B-2 or future B-21 strategic bombers when using nuclear weapons in the Pacific, as they feature longer ranges, larger payloads and more diversified nuclear strike approaches. However, it does not rule out the possibility of the US deploying F-35A in the Pacific for nuclear deterrence in the future.
难改大国间核平衡
Deficiency to alter nuclear balance among major powers
在美国宣布F-35A获得“核认证”后，美国国防部随即批准F-35的全速生产。据称，洛克希德•马丁公司已为美国空军、海军、海军陆战队及外国客户制造了上千架F-35。
Upon the announcement of the F-35A's nuclear certification, the US Department of Defense approved the full rate production of these weapons. It is learnt that Lockheed Martin has built thousands of F-35s for the US Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and their overseas customers.
分析人士指出，美国计划仅让少量F-35A携带核弹，主要出于象征性和威慑性的考虑。总的来说，F-35A获得“核认证”不会改变美国与核大国之间的核平衡。其携带的B61核弹，作为一款战术核武器，性能指标与美国配备的战略核武器相比有明显差距。
Analysts said that the US plans to equip only a small portion of F-35As with nuclear bombs mainly out of symbolic and deterrent considerations. Generally, the F-35A's nuclear certification will not shift the nuclear balance between the US and other nuclear powers. As a tactical nuclear weapon, the B61 nuclear bomb carried with the fighter shows a noticeable shortfall in performance indicators compared to the strategic nuclear weapons deployed by the US.
此外，全速生产F-35不一定意味着该战斗机的交付速度会逐步加快，这背后还有一些技术难题亟待解决。其中，F-35 TR-3版本软件问题及F135发动机升级计划作为两大关键难题，此前已多次影响F-35的正常交付。
In addition, the full rate production of the F-35 does not necessarily mean that its delivery will be gradually accelerated, as there are some technical challenges that need to be addressed urgently. Among them, two key problems around the F-35 with TR-3 version software and the F135 engine upgrade program repeatedly affected the normal delivery of F-35.
美国部分专家也对F-35A用于执行核打击任务提出质疑。美国科学家联盟“核信息项目”主任克里斯滕森认为，如果一场冲突升级到需要考虑使用核武器的程度，美军应该选择使用战略轰炸机，而不是F-35A来执行核打击任务。
Some US experts have also questioned the application of F-35A in nuclear strike missions. Hans Kristensen, Director of the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists, remarked that if a conflict reaches the level where nuclear weapons are deemed necessary, the US military should choose to use strategic bombers rather than F-35As for executing nuclear strike operations.
