The USAF had a new cruise missile

The AGM-181A is the U.S. Air Force’s latest cruise missile, designed to carry a nuclear warhead. Its development shows America’s determination to stay ahead of China in the nuclear arms race.

Raytheon has introduced the AGM-181A LRSO, a stealth nuclear cruise missile with a 1,500-mile range and a warhead yield adjustable from 5 to 150 kilotons. It will be deployed on the B-21 Raider and B-52 Stratofortress.

The AGM-181A’s development reflects the U.S. effort to keep up with China’s rapidly advancing weapons programs across various high-tech aerospace fields.

What Is the AGM-181A Missile?

Development of the AGM-181A began in 2015, with technology contracts awarded in 2017. Its design includes a stealthy structure with inverted fins and swept wings, allowing it to function in areas without GPS.

The missile is powered by a Williams F107 turbofan engine, giving it a range of at least 1,500 miles. It travels at subsonic speeds but cannot reach supersonic levels, unlike some newer missile trends. It carries a W80-4 thermonuclear warhead with a yield adjustable between 5 and 150 kilotons. Each missile costs $13 million.

By late 2022, Raytheon had completed at least nine test flights, including powered flights and B-52 separation tests, some using a mock nuclear warhead.

The Air Force plans to acquire 1,020 missiles, including 67 for testing. The program’s total cost is estimated at $13 to $16 billion. Full production is expected to start after 2027.

Why Does the U.S. Air Force Want the AGM-181A?

The AGM-181A LRSO enhances the air-based part of America’s nuclear triad, ensuring it can penetrate advanced Chinese and Russian air defenses. Its adjustable yield offers flexibility for both tactical and strategic missions, strengthening deterrence. The missile is part of a $1 trillion U.S. plan to modernize its nuclear forces over the next decade.

The AGM-181A is not the first nuclear-capable cruise missile globally. China has the CJ-10, an air-launched cruise missile with a 2,200-km range, and the DH-10, a ground-launched version with a 4,000-km range. Both can carry a 500-kg conventional warhead, and some reports suggest nuclear capability. They use INS, GPS, and terrain mapping for accurate targeting.

China also has the CJ-100/DF-100, supersonic or hypersonic missiles reaching speeds of Mach 4 or 5 (3,000-3,800 mph) and a range up to 3,000 km. The CJ-100/DF-1000 is being developed to improve China’s long-range precision strike capabilities.

The AGM-181A is a response to China’s growing missile diversity. The U.S. and China are competing to outmatch each other in nuclear deterrence. Success in this arms race will determine whether the U.S. maintains its global leadership or loses it to China.

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