Following the publication of a new image on social media, which was captured by the Los Angeles-based photographer Jarod Hamilton, open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts have noted that the U.S. Air Force has begun testing the new LRSO nuclear cruise missile with one of its B-52 bombers. While there is a lack of official details, experts point out that the aircraft is equipped with a peculiar weapon on one of its pylons, which resembles the conceptual design presented by the Pentagon for the aforementioned missile and would account for the progress achieved in its development.
It is worth recalling at this point that the development of the LRSO nuclear cruise missile is configured as the U.S. Air Force’s bet to replace the AGM-86B models, which have been part of its arsenal since the Cold War and also possess nuclear capability. Along those lines, the intention of the institution lies in being able to integrate them not only into the aforementioned B-52 bombers, which still remain a key pillar of U.S. long-range strike capability, but also into the B-21 Raider that are being incorporated to replace them together with the B-1 Lancer.
Such is the case that the institution has already been carrying out for years a series of tests involving the aforementioned platforms and the LRSO missile itself, marking what is a gradual development process prior to its incorporation. In the case of tests with B-52s, U.S. experts point out that these usually take place at Edwards Air Force Base, focusing mainly on ensuring that the aircraft can carry and deploy the weapon without major technical problems. Secondly, efforts have also been made to verify whether the bombers can carry more than a single missile, although it has already been noted that in the event of a nuclear conflict it is unlikely that the same aircraft would have to deploy a larger number of units.
On the other hand, and reviewing some of the characteristics that we know about these new LRSO missiles, designed by Raytheon Technologies after defeating the bid of Lockheed Martin in 2020, we can mention that they are presented as a system that is dropped from an aircraft pylon without activating its propulsion system; this until reaching a safe distance to deploy its wings and only then ignite the engine. Its external design is also characterized by a trapezoidal shape that integrates a vertical tail arranged on the lower surface, which is complemented by two others deployable to each side.
Finally, it should be mentioned that according to previous reports, the U.S. Air Force would be planning to add some 1,020 LRSO missiles to its arsenal in the future, based on documents published by the Pentagon itself in which a unit cost of around 14 million dollars was indicated; a price higher than originally established by about USD 4 million difference. If so, this would mean that the institution would double its current inventory of those AGM-86B missiles that are being replaced, although it would still not reach the number of units that existed at its peak.
*Cover image credits: @JarodMHamilton
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