‘City-destroying' nuclear missile unveiled by US after years of secret flights – it's 10x deadlier than Hiroshima bomb
AMERICA'S military bosses have shown off a city-destroying nuke after years of secret flights.
The AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear cruise missile can evade electronic jamming attacks and features stealth capabilities.
Advertisement
4
An artist's rendering of the AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear cruise missile
Credit: SWNS
4
The nukes will be used by the B-21 Raider - a sixth-gen warfighter
Credit: SWNS
It will unleash thermonuclear warheads on enemies.
Military chiefs released an artist's concept pic to give a glimpse of the AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear cruise missile.
It is being developed in answer to the rapid growth of China's nuclear arsenal.
America's next-generation nuclear cruise missile has a range exceeding 1,500 miles.
Advertisement
It is also expected to have an adjustable nuclear yield from five to 150 kilotons.
That's a blast ten times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima in August 1945.
By comparison, deadly Tomahawks have a range of 1,500 miles, and the intermediate-range cruise missiles are equipped with a 1000-pound conventional warhead.
The nuclear-armed cruise missile will arm America's warfighter B-21 - part of the Air Force strategic bomber fleet - and its famous combat bomber, the B-52.
Advertisement
Most read in The US Sun
The United States has secretly been testing the new nuclear weapon for years.
Once operational in battle, it'll be hard for the enemy to spot - and destroy - thanks to its 'low-observable design' according to defense and security experts at
Watch Trump intel chief Tulsi Gabbard warn of nuclear 'annihilation' & slam 'elites with bomb shelters' in puzzling vid
And the missile's development is rapidly progressing ahead of schedule.
The AGM-181A will replace the 40-year-old AGM-86B Air-Launched Cruise Missile.
Advertisement
Air Force officials have confirmed that the nuke has already undergone a series of successful flight tests, and it is set for frontline service by 2030.
The weapon offers stealth characteristics, jet propulsion, a range exceeding 1,500 miles, and an adjustable nuclear yield from five to 150 kilotons.
4
The LRSO is set to replace the Cold War-era AGM-86B, above
Credit: SWNS
4
A B-21 Raider seen taking off at Edwards Air Force Base, California
Credit: SWNS
Advertisement
But mystery remains, as few facts have been released about the LRSO's capabilities - the program remains highly classified.
What is known - according to defense experts - is that it will be able to blast enemy targets well over 1,500 miles away.
It's also expected to have subsonic missiles - which fly at a speed lesser than that of sound.
Plus it will have the ability to navigate in any tough environment.
Advertisement
TOP SECRET
"This highly secretive nuclear cruise missile is expected to offer a low-observable design meant to limit chances of intercept.
"The LRSO's total range, top speed, and estimated radar return all remain classified," said 1945.
The artist's pic reveals a sleek, stealthy weapon designed to evade modern air defences.
The nuke's high-tech features mean it'll be perfect against electronic warfare, as it can be used when GPS jamming is carried out.
Advertisement
What are the features of the AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff (LRSO)?
An artist's rendering shows a first glimpse of the AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear cruise missile
What the nuke will offer the U.S. military:
An adjustable nuclear yield between 5–150 kilotons, allowing uses ranging from tactical effect to destroying cities
The ability to navigate in any environment
Subsonic missile - flies at a speed lesser than that of sound
Perfect for electronic warfare as they can be used where GPS jamming is carried out
Will feature the updated W80-4 thermonuclear warhead - a type of nuclear warhead carried on air-launched cruise missiles
Greater range than its predecessors - its stand-off range is expected to be more than (1,500 miles (2,500 km)
It's pegged to replace America's only nuclear-armed cruise missile in operation today, which has served since the start of the Cold War - and are becoming obselete.
Defense experts at
STEALTH MODE
Commenting on the first unclassified image, TWZ said the AGM-181A features an inverted tail.
It also noted, "The missile looks like it has a trapezoidal fuselage cross-section design with a wedge-like nose.
Advertisement
"We see no air inlet in the concept rendering, which could be for security reasons, considering the inlet design is often a closely guarded feature on stealthy flying machines - or it could be located on the top of the missile."
BUILT IN U.S.
The experts warned, though, that the concept pic could well be inaccurate, as "some features will be omitted or even misleading for an initial public release."
They described it as a "critical tool" for American's nuclear triad - hoped to avert a "nuclear holocaust."
It's being built by major American aerospace and defense firm Raytheon, with production slated for 1,020 units, according to 1945.
Advertisement
The nukes will be carried by both the forthcoming £585 million B-21 Raider and upgraded B-52 Stratofortress bombers.
The AGM-181s are expected to replace the AGM-86B missiles by 2030, added TWZ, quoting a
We stand here today closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before
US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard
The Pentagon's 2022 acquisition estimates the program will cost $16 billion for 1,020 missiles.
And unit costs are currently projected to be around $14 million.
Advertisement
"With the aging Air-Launched Cruise Missile nearing obsolescence and no other nuclear cruise missile currently in service, the AGM-181A LRSO will fill a crucial gap in US deterrence strategy."
WAR TURMOIL
Its development comes during one of the most violent periods since the end of the Second World War.
US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard warned on Tuesday, after a trip to
Advertisement
She posted a video of grisly footage from the world's first nuclear attack, and said, "A single nuclear weapon today could kill millions in just minutes.
'As we stand here today closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before, political elites and warmongers are carelessly fomenting fear and tensions between nuclear powers.'
These include ongoing threats from Iran, China, North Korea and Russia.
U.S. TARGETS
Iran today threatened to target U.S. military bases in the region if conflict breaks out.
Advertisement
Meanwhile, evil despot Vladimir Putin has his brutal ambitions set on invading Nato, warned Bruno Kahl, head of Berlin's Federal Intelligence Service.
And just last October, the U.S. and its allies said they were 'alarmed' by North Korea's nuclear and missile threats.
An opinion piece in
It cited Defense Secretary
Advertisement
Read more on the Irish Sun
The Hill said, 'The Chinese regime, which is mobilizing all of society for war, is now unstable. It is not clear who, if anyone, is in charge. Therefore, the regime could take us by surprise.
'Given all the turmoil in the Chinese military, America and its partners need to focus on more than just Taiwan. In fact, the main island of Taiwan might be the least likely target.'
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By comparison, deadly Tomahawks have a range of 1,500 miles, and the intermediate-range cruise missiles are equipped with a 1000-pound conventional warhead. The nuclear-armed cruise missile will arm America's warfighter B-21 - part of the Air Force strategic bomber fleet - and its famous combat bomber, the B-52. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun The United States has secretly been testing the new nuclear weapon for years. Once operational in battle, it'll be hard for the enemy to spot - and destroy - thanks to its 'low-observable design' according to defense and security experts at Watch Trump intel chief Tulsi Gabbard warn of nuclear 'annihilation' & slam 'elites with bomb shelters' in puzzling vid And the missile's development is rapidly progressing ahead of schedule. The AGM-181A will replace the 40-year-old AGM-86B Air-Launched Cruise Missile. Advertisement Air Force officials have confirmed that the nuke has already undergone a series of successful flight tests, and it is set for frontline service by 2030. The weapon offers stealth characteristics, jet propulsion, a range exceeding 1,500 miles, and an adjustable nuclear yield from five to 150 kilotons. 4 The LRSO is set to replace the Cold War-era AGM-86B, above Credit: SWNS 4 A B-21 Raider seen taking off at Edwards Air Force Base, California Credit: SWNS Advertisement But mystery remains, as few facts have been released about the LRSO's capabilities - the program remains highly classified. What is known - according to defense experts - is that it will be able to blast enemy targets well over 1,500 miles away. It's also expected to have subsonic missiles - which fly at a speed lesser than that of sound. Plus it will have the ability to navigate in any tough environment. Advertisement TOP SECRET "This highly secretive nuclear cruise missile is expected to offer a low-observable design meant to limit chances of intercept. "The LRSO's total range, top speed, and estimated radar return all remain classified," said 1945. The artist's pic reveals a sleek, stealthy weapon designed to evade modern air defences. The nuke's high-tech features mean it'll be perfect against electronic warfare, as it can be used when GPS jamming is carried out. Advertisement What are the features of the AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff (LRSO)? An artist's rendering shows a first glimpse of the AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear cruise missile What the nuke will offer the U.S. military: An adjustable nuclear yield between 5–150 kilotons, allowing uses ranging from tactical effect to destroying cities The ability to navigate in any environment Subsonic missile - flies at a speed lesser than that of sound Perfect for electronic warfare as they can be used where GPS jamming is carried out Will feature the updated W80-4 thermonuclear warhead - a type of nuclear warhead carried on air-launched cruise missiles Greater range than its predecessors - its stand-off range is expected to be more than (1,500 miles (2,500 km) It's pegged to replace America's only nuclear-armed cruise missile in operation today, which has served since the start of the Cold War - and are becoming obselete. Defense experts at STEALTH MODE Commenting on the first unclassified image, TWZ said the AGM-181A features an inverted tail. It also noted, "The missile looks like it has a trapezoidal fuselage cross-section design with a wedge-like nose. Advertisement "We see no air inlet in the concept rendering, which could be for security reasons, considering the inlet design is often a closely guarded feature on stealthy flying machines - or it could be located on the top of the missile." BUILT IN U.S. The experts warned, though, that the concept pic could well be inaccurate, as "some features will be omitted or even misleading for an initial public release." They described it as a "critical tool" for American's nuclear triad - hoped to avert a "nuclear holocaust." It's being built by major American aerospace and defense firm Raytheon, with production slated for 1,020 units, according to 1945. Advertisement The nukes will be carried by both the forthcoming £585 million B-21 Raider and upgraded B-52 Stratofortress bombers. The AGM-181s are expected to replace the AGM-86B missiles by 2030, added TWZ, quoting a We stand here today closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard The Pentagon's 2022 acquisition estimates the program will cost $16 billion for 1,020 missiles. And unit costs are currently projected to be around $14 million. Advertisement "With the aging Air-Launched Cruise Missile nearing obsolescence and no other nuclear cruise missile currently in service, the AGM-181A LRSO will fill a crucial gap in US deterrence strategy." WAR TURMOIL Its development comes during one of the most violent periods since the end of the Second World War. US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard warned on Tuesday, after a trip to Advertisement She posted a video of grisly footage from the world's first nuclear attack, and said, "A single nuclear weapon today could kill millions in just minutes. 'As we stand here today closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before, political elites and warmongers are carelessly fomenting fear and tensions between nuclear powers.' These include ongoing threats from Iran, China, North Korea and Russia. U.S. TARGETS Iran today threatened to target U.S. military bases in the region if conflict breaks out. Advertisement Meanwhile, evil despot Vladimir Putin has his brutal ambitions set on invading Nato, warned Bruno Kahl, head of Berlin's Federal Intelligence Service. And just last October, the U.S. and its allies said they were 'alarmed' by North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. An opinion piece in It cited Defense Secretary Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun The Hill said, 'The Chinese regime, which is mobilizing all of society for war, is now unstable. It is not clear who, if anyone, is in charge. Therefore, the regime could take us by surprise. 'Given all the turmoil in the Chinese military, America and its partners need to focus on more than just Taiwan. In fact, the main island of Taiwan might be the least likely target.'
