The United States has officially unveiled the AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear missile, a long-range weapon that is expected to enter military service by the end of the decade.
The missile, which had been secretly developed for years, will be capable of hitting targets more than 2,400 km away and will replace the aging AGM-86B, in use since the Cold War. It will be carried by upgraded B-52 bombers and also by the new B-21 Raider.
With a variable nuclear payload between 5 and 150 kilotons— the latter being about ten times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima— the LRSO can be used in both tactical operations and to destroy entire cities. The weapon has undergone a series of successful flight tests and, according to Air Force officials, remains on schedule for delivery in 2030.
In addition to its range and power, the missile was designed to evade sophisticated air defense systems thanks to its aerodynamic design and stealth capabilities. Despite the release of a rendered image, full technical details of the weapon have not yet been disclosed.
The introduction of the LRSO is part of the U.S. strategy to modernize its nuclear triad amid rising geopolitical tensions.
Source: LADbible | Photo: X @John_A_Ridge | Wimimedia | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
