USAF next-gen cruise missile programme advances to next phase
LRSO will replace the AGM-86B Air Launched Cruise Missile, pictured being loaded onto a USAF B-52H Stratofortress. (Photo: USAF/Senior Airman Lillian Miller)
The Long Range Stand Off (LRSO) air-launched cruise missile for the USAF is now in the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase, after sole contractor Raytheon Missiles and Defense obtained a $2 billion deal from the US Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center.
‘During the EMD phase, manufacturing processes will continue to mature and the manufacturing environment will be demonstrated and transitioned to a pilot line readiness state,’ the DoD announced on 1 July.
Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be completed by February 2027.
‘The objective at the end of EMD is to demonstrate full production readiness,’ the DoD added. Shephard reported in April 2020 that each LRSO missile would cost $10 million to produce.
The nuclear-capable LRSO will replace the 1980s-vintage AGM-86B Air Launched Cruise Missile. The new missiles could be launched from B-52, B-1, B-2 or B-21 bombers.
More from Air Warfare
-
Anduril and Rheinmetall to bring capabilities to Europe with domestic production “on the table”
Anduril’s partnership with German defence firm Rheinmetall will see the two companies co-develop and deliver a European range of Anduril’s air systems, including Fury and Barracuda, and work on solid rocket motors.
-
GCAP industry partners officially launch joint company Edgewing
The joint venture company, alongside developing the next-generation combat aircraft, will also remain the design authority for the platform.
-
Paris Air Show 2025: Parrot’s new microdrone ANAFI UKR breaks cover
While the Paris Air Show marked the first time the ANAFI UKR has been publicly shown, the ISR drone has been in use with various armed forces for the last eight months, Parrot told Shephard.
-
US fires approximately 75 precision-guided weapons against Iran’s nuclear facilities
In the operation Midnight Hammer, the Pentagon deployed 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators and more than two dozen Tomahawk missiles.
-
Paris Air Show 2025: Embraer chalks up another win as Lithuania picks C-390
Just this week Portugal signed for a sixth C-390 with the add-on of an option for 10 for other NATO countries. In April, Sweden signed for four and in December last year Slovakia agreed to buy three, while in the same month an undisclosed country agreed to buy two.
-
Paris Air Show 2025: Aarok to be offered to India
Turgis Gaillard and Bharat Forge have signed an MoU to offer the Aarok, produced in India, to the Indian Ministry of Defence. The UAV could satisfy the country’s desire for an indigenous MALE UAV, offering an alternative to the TAPAS BH-201 that has had a rocky development.