From Brian,,, ;)
"Quote--Google search "Convair B58 Hustler" for a myriad of sites, or go to Convair B58 Hustler
Briefly first flew 1956, in service 1960-70, top speed 2229 km/h, ceiling 18290 metres, never configured for conventional bombs only nuclear weapons. The weapons were carried in a detachable pod which could be configured in various arrangements of fuel and weapon. Four nuclear weapons could be carried on external pylons. end quote"
it appears the weapons were a bit longer lasting than the carrier---
From Wiki,,,
The B61 NUCLEAR BOMB, originally known (before 1968) as the TX-61, was designed in 1963. It was designed and built by the [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Alamos_National_Laboratory"]Los Alamos National Laboratory[/ame] in [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico"]New Mexico[/ame]. It began from a program for a lightweight, streamlined weapon launched in 1961. Production engineering began in 1965, with full production beginning in 1968 following a series of development problems.
Total production of all versions was approximately 3,155, of which approximately 1,925 remain in service as of 2002, and some 1,265 are considered to be operational.[[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed"]citation needed[/ame]] The [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warhead"]warhead[/ame] has changed little over the years, although early versions have been upgraded to improve the safety features.[[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed"]citation needed[/ame]]
Nine versions (or 'Mods') of the B61 have been produced. Each shares the same '[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physics_package"]physics package[/ame],' with different [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapon_yield"]yield[/ame] options.
The newest variant is the B61 Mod 11, deployed in 1997, which is a ground-penetrating [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_bunker_buster"]bunker buster[/ame].
The B61 gravity bomb should not be confused with the MGM-1 Matador [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruise_missile"]cruise missile[/ame], which originally was developed under the bomber designation B-61.
When the B61 was still classified, aircrew were not allowed to use the term "B61". Instead, it was referred to as a "shape", "silver bullet", or even "external delivery".
