Air Force Starts Prototyping New LRSO Nuclear-Armed Cruise Missile

Photo Credit – Boeing Air Launched Cruise Missile

The Air Force and industry have begun early prototyping and design work on the emerging Long Range Stand Off weapon nuclear-armed cruise missile, set to enter into a new phase of construction by 2022, service officials said.

Due to emerging nuclear weapons threats, the Air Force now envisions an operational LRSO by the end of the 2020s – as opposed to prior thoughts that it may not be ready until the 2030s.

Air Force officials tell Warrior Maven that plans to move into the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase are on track for 2022.

US Air Force weapons developers believe the emerging nuclear-armed Long-Range Stand-Off weapon will enable strike forces to attack deep within enemy territory and help overcome high-tech challenges posed by emerging adversary air defenses.

Air Force industry partners, Raytheon and Lockheed, are now working on a $900 million Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction deal with the service awarded last summer.

Air Force officials also tell Warrior Maven the developing LRSO is, by design, closely aligned with the Pentagon’s recently released nuclear weapons review.

The LRSO will provide an air-launched component to the Pentagon’s current wish to expand the attack envelope possibilities for its nuclear arsenal; the NPR calls for the addition of a new low-yield submarine-launched nuclear armed cruise missile. The move is described by Defense Secretary James Mattis as an effort to further deter potential Russian aggression and bring them back into compliance with the INF Treaty.