The AGM-181 Long-Range Standoff missile is the Air Force’s developmental, next-generation air-launched nuclear cruise missile to replace ALCM. The stealthy, subsonic weapon is designed to equip the B-21 and preserve the modernized B-52J’s ability to conduct stand-off strikes against anti-access, area denial targets.
LRSO is a core element of AFGSC’s air- and land-based nuclear modernization effort alongside the B-21 and LGM-35 Sentinel. USAF awarded Raytheon a $2 billion sole-source development contract to develop the weapon in 2021 targeting a low-rate initial production decision by 2027. LRSO was initially planned to begin replacing ALCM by 2030.
The service plans to procure 1,087 missiles, roughly a third smaller initial buy of legacy AGM-86B but approximately double the current inventory. LRSO conducted its first fully integrated systems test in February 2022, passed its critical design review in early 2023, and is meeting both cost and timeline objectives.
Flight-testing on the B-52 began with a series of nine flights in 2022 validating safe separation, stability, engine performance, and flight control. The weapon is designed to carry the selectable 150 kiloton-yield W80-4 thermonuclear warhead to a range exceeding 1,500 miles.
FY26 funded $442.7 million in procurement and an additional $606.9 million in research and development. B-52 flight-testing, including external carriage of multiple weapons, is ongoing.
AGM-181 Long-Range Standoff Missile (LRSO) Technical Data
Contractor: Raytheon; Sandia National Laboratories (systems support); NNSA (W80-4 warhead).
First Flight: 2022.
Delivered: Circa 2022-present.
IOC: 2030 (planned).
Production: 1,087 (planned).
Inventory: N/A.
Operator: AFGSC.
Unit Location: Edwards AFB, Calif.
Active Variants: • AGM-181A. Developmental sixth-generation nuclear cruise missile to replace the AGM-86B ALCM.
Dimensions: Unknown.
Weight: Unknown.
Propulsion: Air-breathing turbojet/turbofan.
Performance: High subsonic, range approx. 1,500+ miles.
Guidance: Unknown.
Warhead: W80-4 thermonuclear warhead.
Estimated yield: 150 kiloton (selectable).
Integration: B-52H; B-21 (planned).