For years, the “nuke” in War Thunder has been the ultimate flex—a rare reward for players dominating a Ground Realistic Battle, allowing them to spawn in a specialised aircraft and end the match with a cinematic mushroom cloud. But everything is about to change.
Gaijin Entertainment has officially announced that Strategic Nuclear Bomber tech trees are being added to the game. No longer confined to rare killstreaks, these legendary behemoths of the Cold War are becoming a permanent, researchable fixture of the aviation hangars.
From Tactical Streaks to Strategic Dominance
The update, titled “Nuclear Thunder,” introduces a paradigm shift in how high-tier matches play out. While tactical nukes (5–30 kilotons) have been the standard for game-ending streaks, the new Strategic Bombers will carry megaton-class payloads capable of reshaping the battlefield—literally.
“Strategic aviation will change everything,” the developers noted in their latest devblog. “Players will move from familiar high-explosive bombs to tactical, and finally, strategic nuclear weapons within a single escalating battle.”
The New Titans: B-52H and Tu-95M
The spearhead of this new class features two of history’s most iconic long-range bombers. These aren’t just larger targets for interceptors; they are flying fortresses equipped with the latest (for their era) Electronic Countermeasures (ECM).
The American Giant: B-52H Stratofortress
- Rank: VI (Event Vehicle/Researchable)
- Key Features: The first 8-engine aircraft in the game, a 20mm Vulcan tail turret, and a massive payload capacity (up to 51 x 750 lbs bombs or nuclear ordnance).
- Survival: Heavy focus on thermal imaging and a massive suite of countermeasures to ward off incoming SAMs.
The Soviet Bear: Tu-95M
- Rank: VI (Event Vehicle/Researchable)
- Key Features: Access to the FAB-9000 (the largest conventional bomb in the game), 23mm defensive cannons, and that iconic contra-rotating propeller roar.
- Survival: Advanced Radar Warning Receivers (RWR) and high-altitude performance.
New Mechanics: SEAD and Anti-Radiation Missiles
You might be wondering: How does a massive bomber survive in a world of Pantsirs and Patriots? To level the playing field, Gaijin is introducing Anti-Radiation Missiles (ARMs). For the first time, players can engage in SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences) missions.
- USA: AGM-88A HARM
- USSR: Kh-58U and Kh-25MPU
These missiles home in on radar emissions, allowing players to knock out AA batteries from a distance before the strategic bombers move in for the final blow.
How to Get Them
The “Nuclear Thunder” event is currently live and runs until April 13th, 2026. By participating in the conflict between the USA and USSR on a new Central American map, players can complete stages to permanently unlock the B-52H and Tu-95M for their regular research trees.
A word of caution: While these aircraft will be available in standard matches after the event, they will primarily use conventional armaments. The “Strategic Nuke” remains tied to specific high-escalation game modes to ensure the game doesn’t end in a flash every 30 seconds.
TechMash Verdict
Adding strategic bombers is a bold move for War Thunder. It fulfils a long-standing community desire to fly the “Big Three” (B-52, Tu-95, and hopefully the Vulcan later), but it presents a massive balancing challenge. With the introduction of Rank IX aircraft earlier this year, the “Snail” is clearly pushing the game into the modern era with no signs of slowing down.
Are you ready to witness the shockwave, or will you be the one hunting these giants in a Foxbat? Let us know in the comments!
Find out more here – https://warthunder.com/en/news/9983-event-nuclear-thunder-en
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