The US Air Force has introduced the first rendering of the AGM-181 LRSO cruise missile, built to carry a nuclear payload and be launched from B-21 and B-52 strategic bombers.
Raytheon is responsible for developing the system under a $2-billion agreement issued in 2021. The missile will replace the outdated AGM-86B, first fielded during the Cold War.
In 2022, the program’s estimated cost exceeded $16 billion, not including an added $7 billion in long-term support. Each AGM-181 is priced at roughly $14 million.
