The Department's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), at a ceremony at NNSA’s Pantex Plant outside Amarillo, Texas, announces that the last B53 nuclear bomb has been dismantled. Introduced into the stockpile in 1962, the B53 served a key role in the U.S. nuclear deterrent until its retirement in 1997. About the size of a minivan and approximately 10,000 pounds, the B53 bomb is one of the longest lived and highest yield nuclear weapons ever fielded. Deputy Secretary Poneman post an article on the Energy Blog.

Return to 2011 Timeline