They are specifically designed not to detonate in a crash. The article says that for whatever reason the bombs were armed.
Who knows why they were armed flying over the continental US.
The USS Cowpens didn’t pass an inspection and the CO and Command Master Chief got fired. You out a CIA Chief of Station and life goes on - nobody fired.
You arm two thermonuclear devices over the continental US and then DROP THEM and its not clear to me what happened to the pilots, or their CO’s.
FYI, FWIW,
They were flying airborne alert.
Airborne alert required we kept nuclear armed bombers airborne at all times. . .ensured we could respond instantly if attacked and there was a very slim chance the Soviets would be able to take out flying platforms.
They carried ‘live’ nukes, not training ordnance, but these nukes were not armed. . .arming would only take place during final run to the target