While on the computer: US Air Force showed a rendering of a new cruise missile with a nuclear warhead

US Air Force unveils new winged aircraft rocket, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. True, there is a nuance.

So far, we are not even talking about a prototype of a new generation missile. The US Air Force has demonstrated a computer-generated rendering of the AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) cruise missile with a nuclear warhead. This is reported by the online military publication TWZ.

It is specified that the new generation long-range missile could potentially replace the AGM-86B Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM), which remains the only nuclear-armed cruise missile in the US Air Force. The publication recalled that the ALCM has remained in the Air Force arsenal since the Cold War. It continues to be used after the more advanced AGM-2012 Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM) was decommissioned in 129.

Most notable in the first unclassified rendering is that the LRSO has an inverted tail, very similar to that of the AGM-158 JASSM stealth air-launched cruise missile with a conventional warhead.

- says the publication.

The LRSO missile will be able to be carried by the new B-21 Raider bombers and the upgraded B-52 Stratofortress. The tactical and combat characteristics of the so far virtual new weapons The dates for the creation of a prototype and possible serial production are not disclosed.

It is only known that LRSO is a subsonic missile. It will surpass its predecessors in flight range, and its airframe design provides reduced radar signature.

In March, the online publication 19FortyFive wrote that the creation of the AGM-181 LRSO nuclear cruise missile is, unlike other programs to modernize US nuclear systems, ahead of schedule. The Pentagon constantly postpones almost all other programs, including the development of hypersonic weapons, while simultaneously requesting additional appropriations from Congress for their implementation.

Comments

[Mars]

Decided to copy the X-102 to replace the Cold War relics?

[IS-80_RVGK2]

Quote: Mars

Decided to copy the X-102 to replace the Cold War relics?

And how many missiles from one full salvo of these antiquities can the Russian air defense repel? There will be something like 7 thousand of them, as far as I remember.

[Mars]

Firstly, 1700 of them were made, secondly, the salvo will depend on how many ancient B-52s can take to the air.

[IS-80_RVGK2]

I think no less than the Tu-95MS. And yes. And what about the Ohio-type submarines and Arleigh Burke-type destroyers?

[Mars]

I didn't know that submarines and destroyers can use AGM-86B

[by land]

What kind of a copy is this? The Americans developed the ALCM in 1982, nearly three decades before the X-101 and X-102 entered service. It’s simply a missile upgraded to meet modern requirements, including stealth and better guidance.

[Mars]

This AGM-181A missile only exists as a picture so far, so it can't possibly appear before the X-102.

[mad-max78]

What prevents existing Tomahawks from carrying nuclear weapons?

[by land]

Never mind, there used to be a nuclear Tomahawk, but it was deemed unnecessary and retired. The ability of a destroyer to sail unhindered across the ocean during a nuclear war was considered unrealistic. But the Tomahawk is not suitable for launching from a bomber, it does not fit in an internal weapons bay, and it has no stealth whatsoever. That's why they made a new missile.

[Anatoly_P]

Looking at the picture, the question arises - where is the motor on this "rocket"? And why is there a keel at the bottom? After all, this is an extra element for radar illumination, and therefore reduces "low visibility"!

[voyaka uh]

The dimensions of the missile are determined by the length of the internal compartment of the B-21 bomber.
The B-21 is smaller than the B-2.
That is, the rocket must be very compact. This complicates the task.

[km-21]

In modern warfare, the information component plays an indispensable role. In this component, the Americans are significantly superior to Russia. They have a powerful satellite constellation at their disposal. In combination with ground-based information processing systems (like Palantir), this allows for real-time reconnaissance, communication, and guidance. Therefore, the effectiveness of American missile attacks will be significantly higher than the effectiveness of Russian attacks.
This makes any task much easier.

[Puler]

cartoons... and balls... penguins have problems with speeds over 4 or 5 machs... they can't even do 5...