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War Thunder 'Nuclear Thunder' Event: Complete Guide from Dropping Nuclear Bombs to Unlocking B-52, Tu-95War Thunder's April Fools' Day event 'Nuclear Thunder' for April 1, 2026, has begun. This event is open to all players, with the goal of piloting strategic bombers equipped with powerful nuclear bombs to destroy enemy airfields. Additionally, participating in the event offers a special opportunity to unlock iconic aircraft like the B-52H and Tu-95M.
1. 🎮 Nuclear Thunder Event Participation and Soviet Aircraft Information
· The 'Nuclear Thunder' event is open to all players, and you can use the aircraft provided in the event mode even if you don't have high-tier aircraft.
· The Soviet faction can use MiG-23 MLD, Su-24, and Tu-95M aircraft.
· The Tu-95M requires 2500 spawn points and is equipped with the most powerful RDS-37 nuclear bomb (1600kt).
· The Su-24 can be equipped with the RN-40 nuclear bomb (30kt) for 500 spawn points.
· The MiG-23 MLD can be equipped with the RN-28 nuclear bomb (5kt) for 250 spawn points.
· The Soviet faction can use MiG-23 MLD, Su-24, and Tu-95M aircraft.
· The Tu-95M requires 2500 spawn points and is equipped with the most powerful RDS-37 nuclear bomb (1600kt).
· The Su-24 can be equipped with the RN-40 nuclear bomb (30kt) for 500 spawn points.
· The MiG-23 MLD can be equipped with the RN-28 nuclear bomb (5kt) for 250 spawn points.
| Aircraft | Nuclear Bomb | Yield (kt) | Spawn Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tu-95M | RDS-37 | 1600 | 2500 |
| Su-24 | RN-40 | 30 | 500 |
| MiG-23 MLD | RN-28 | 5 | 250 |
00:00 - 01:30
1. 🎮 Nuclear Thunder Event Participation and Soviet Aircraft Information
· The 'Nuclear Thunder' event is open to all players, and you can use the aircraft provided in the event mode even if you don't have high-tier aircraft.
· The Soviet faction can use MiG-23 MLD, Su-24, and Tu-95M aircraft.
· The Tu-95M requires 2500 spawn points and is equipped with the most powerful RDS-37 nuclear bomb (1600kt).
· The Su-24 can be equipped with the RN-40 nuclear bomb (30kt) for 500 spawn points.
· The MiG-23 MLD can be equipped with the RN-28 nuclear bomb (5kt) for 250 spawn points.
· The Soviet faction can use MiG-23 MLD, Su-24, and Tu-95M aircraft.
· The Tu-95M requires 2500 spawn points and is equipped with the most powerful RDS-37 nuclear bomb (1600kt).
· The Su-24 can be equipped with the RN-40 nuclear bomb (30kt) for 500 spawn points.
· The MiG-23 MLD can be equipped with the RN-28 nuclear bomb (5kt) for 250 spawn points.
| Aircraft | Nuclear Bomb | Yield (kt) | Spawn Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tu-95M | RDS-37 | 1600 | 2500 |
| Su-24 | RN-40 | 30 | 500 |
| MiG-23 MLD | RN-28 | 5 | 250 |
01:31 - 02:39
2. ✈️ US Aircraft and Nuclear Bomb Details
· The US faction can use A-10A, A-6E Tram, F-4E Phantom II, A-7E, and B-52H aircraft.
· The B-52H requires 2500 spawn points and is equipped with the B28 nuclear bomb (1450kt).
· The A-7E and F-4E can be equipped with the B61 hydrogen bomb, which has a variable yield.
· The B61 has two variants: 30kt (500 spawn points) and 5kt (250 spawn points).
· The B-52H requires 2500 spawn points and is equipped with the B28 nuclear bomb (1450kt).
· The A-7E and F-4E can be equipped with the B61 hydrogen bomb, which has a variable yield.
· The B61 has two variants: 30kt (500 spawn points) and 5kt (250 spawn points).
| Aircraft | Nuclear Bomb | Yield (kt) | Spawn Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-52H | B28 | 1450 | 2500 |
| A-7E, F-4E | B61 | 30 | 500 |
| F-4E | B61 | 5 | 250 |
02:40 - 04:51
3. 🎮 Escalation Mechanism and Game Objectives
· To use nuclear bombs, in addition to spawn points, the 'Escalation' level must increase. When both teams' scores reach certain thresholds, the escalation level rises up to stage 3, allowing more powerful nuclear bombs to be used.
· Besides spawn points, Silver Lions (in-game currency) are also required to spawn aircraft, but it's not a significant burden.
· The main objective of the game is to destroy 6 enemy airfields. Airfields are defended not only by enemy aircraft but also by various missile systems such as S-300, Hawk, Roland, and Osa-KM.
· A 30kt nuclear bomb can destroy one airfield at once, while large nuclear bombs from Tu-95 or B-52 can destroy multiple airfields simultaneously.
· B-52s and Tu-95s spawn high above the battlefield and are used to deliver decisive blows to the enemy in the late game.
· Besides spawn points, Silver Lions (in-game currency) are also required to spawn aircraft, but it's not a significant burden.
· The main objective of the game is to destroy 6 enemy airfields. Airfields are defended not only by enemy aircraft but also by various missile systems such as S-300, Hawk, Roland, and Osa-KM.
· A 30kt nuclear bomb can destroy one airfield at once, while large nuclear bombs from Tu-95 or B-52 can destroy multiple airfields simultaneously.
· B-52s and Tu-95s spawn high above the battlefield and are used to deliver decisive blows to the enemy in the late game.
04:52 - 06:22
4. 🚀 New Anti-Radiation Missile (ARM) Test
· Anti-Radiation Missiles (ARM) are being tested in this event. ARMs are missiles that track enemy radar signals to attack air defense systems.
· The Soviet faction uses KH-25MPU and KH-58U missiles, while the US faction uses AGM-88A missiles.
· Missiles target the radar base itself, and new missile systems may have separate launchers and radar stations.
· Test results showed that targeting ground radars was difficult, and enemy anti-aircraft guns could intercept missiles, making effective use challenging.
· The Soviet faction uses KH-25MPU and KH-58U missiles, while the US faction uses AGM-88A missiles.
· Missiles target the radar base itself, and new missile systems may have separate launchers and radar stations.
· Test results showed that targeting ground radars was difficult, and enemy anti-aircraft guns could intercept missiles, making effective use challenging.
06:23 - 08:27
5. ✈️ How to Unlock B-52 and Tu-95
· The most special aspect of this event is the ability to actually unlock and own the Tu-95M and B-52H.
· You must complete a total of 6 'Marks' by playing as each faction (US or Soviet). Completing 5 Marks unlocks the aircraft, and the 6th Mark is for aircraft modifications.
· To complete each Mark, you must earn 7700 points within the event.
· These aircraft can currently only be tested in event mode, and their armament or performance in regular games is still uncertain. The estimated Battle Rating is 8.7.
· These strategic bombers can carry a large number of bombs, but their defenses are very weak, making survival difficult in the War Thunder environment.
· The event runs for 12 days, and if you fail to complete the Marks within the period, you will have to pay 10,000 Golden Eagles to unlock them.
· You must complete a total of 6 'Marks' by playing as each faction (US or Soviet). Completing 5 Marks unlocks the aircraft, and the 6th Mark is for aircraft modifications.
· To complete each Mark, you must earn 7700 points within the event.
· These aircraft can currently only be tested in event mode, and their armament or performance in regular games is still uncertain. The estimated Battle Rating is 8.7.
· These strategic bombers can carry a large number of bombs, but their defenses are very weak, making survival difficult in the War Thunder environment.
· The event runs for 12 days, and if you fail to complete the Marks within the period, you will have to pay 10,000 Golden Eagles to unlock them.
08:28 - 11:58
6. ⚠️ Nuclear Thunder Event Issues and Improvement Suggestions
· The event offers a long playtime of about 1 hour and 30 minutes, but there are some regrettable aspects in the game design.
· Instead of players returning to the airfield to rearm, it is more efficient to self-destruct after dropping a nuclear bomb and respawn with spawn points. This makes the game less realistic as it doesn't encourage returning and rearming.
· There are no penalties for self-destruction or being shot down, and players can respawn indefinitely as long as they have enough spawn points, leading to a lack of strategic depth.
· The fact that aircraft take no damage even if a nuclear bomb drops near them is unrealistic.
· During balance adjustments, 4 units including SU-25SM3, SU-27, SU-3, and AV-8B Plus were removed, but Yak-141 and F-14 remain, which is problematic.
· The Yak-141 is equipped with R-27R, R-73 missiles, and the F-14 with AIM-54, Fakur, AIM-54C missiles, demonstrating very powerful performance against inexperienced players. This can provide an unfair experience for beginners.
· Nevertheless, the nuclear bombs, ARM missile tests, and the opportunity to unlock strategic bombers make this event interesting.
· Instead of players returning to the airfield to rearm, it is more efficient to self-destruct after dropping a nuclear bomb and respawn with spawn points. This makes the game less realistic as it doesn't encourage returning and rearming.
· There are no penalties for self-destruction or being shot down, and players can respawn indefinitely as long as they have enough spawn points, leading to a lack of strategic depth.
· The fact that aircraft take no damage even if a nuclear bomb drops near them is unrealistic.
· During balance adjustments, 4 units including SU-25SM3, SU-27, SU-3, and AV-8B Plus were removed, but Yak-141 and F-14 remain, which is problematic.
· The Yak-141 is equipped with R-27R, R-73 missiles, and the F-14 with AIM-54, Fakur, AIM-54C missiles, demonstrating very powerful performance against inexperienced players. This can provide an unfair experience for beginners.
· Nevertheless, the nuclear bombs, ARM missile tests, and the opportunity to unlock strategic bombers make this event interesting.