The US Air Force has revealed the first rendering of its AGM-181 Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear-armed cruise missile to arm the upcoming B-21 Raider and legacy B-52 Stratofortress bombers.
While many details about the program are classified, the LRSO is known to be under development by Raytheon based on a $2-billion contract awarded in 2021. It is set to replace the Cold War-era AGM-86B air-launched cruise missile.
The LRSO program was estimated to cost over $16 billion in 2022, with additional life cycle sustainment adding another $7 billion. Meanwhile, each weapon is expected to cost $14 million, according to Air and Space Forces.
A decision to transition into low-rate production is expected in 2027.
Long-Range Standoff
An artist’s rendering of the weapon depicts a trapezoidal fuselage, folding wings, a pair of horizontal tail planes, and a single vertical tail on the underside, with no noticeable air inlet, which could either be placed on top or concealed to prevent adversaries from developing countermeasures.
The LRSO will carry a W80-4 thermonuclear warhead for advanced yield, safety, and security, with its first production unit scheduled for completion in late 2027.
Furthermore, the long-range weapon being launched from the B-52 and B-21 contributes to Washington’s nuclear triad against nuclear-capable adversaries such as Russia and China.
However, given the program’s secretive nature, the missile’s rendering may not fully reflect the official and final design.
