‘City-destroying' nuclear missile unveiled by US after years of secret flights – it's 10x deadlier than Hiroshima bomb
It'll be hard for enemies to spot
SHOW OF FORCE 'City-destroying' nuclear missile unveiled by US after years of secret flights – it's 10x deadlier than Hiroshima bomb
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
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.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
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.
READ MORE US NEWS
'A PIONEER' Weatherman who starred in movie Twister dies as tributes pour in
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.
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 19FortyFive.
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.
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
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.
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.
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 The War Zone (TWZ) wrote, "LRSO is set to replace the AGM-86B Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM), which has served since the twilight of the Cold War."
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.
"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.
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 Pentagon acquisition report.
We stand here today closer to the brink of nuclear annihilation than ever before
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.
Interesting Engineering said the LRSO "arrives as the United States recalibrates its nuclear posture in response to rapid advances in Russian and Chinese strategic capabilities.
"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 Hiroshima, that "warmongers" were pushing the world to the brink of nuclear war.
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.
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 The Hill on the China threat starkly warned yesterday, 'America needs to urgently prepare for war.'
It cited Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said on May 31, 'There's no reason to sugarcoat it, the threat China poses is real. And it could be imminent.'
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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
12 minutes ago
- The Independent
Every time Starmer wants us to think the best of Trump, the US president proves him wrong
Just five days ago Sir Keir Starmer sat down with the travelling pack of UK journalists at the G7 in Canada and assured them and their readers that Donald Trump would not attack Iran. He said:"There is nothing the president said that suggests he's about to get involved in this conflict, on the contrary, the G7 statement was about de-escalation. "I think what he said was he wanted to go beyond a ceasefire effectively and end the conflict. And I think he's right about that. I mean, a ceasefire is always a means to an end. "That is consistent with what we agreed around the table yesterday. And throughout the dinner yesterday I was sitting right next to President Trump, so I've no doubt, in my mind, the level of agreement there was in relation to the words that were then issued immediately after that, pretty soon after the dinner.' He made a point of being at the table sitting next to Trump to underline that his reading of what the US president would do was correct. At that point Trump had left the resort in Alberta early and was back in the White House. Just hours later he was posting threats to Iran on Truth Social. Then last night, five days after Starmer addressed journalists, he authorised the bombing of Iran having given them two weeks on Friday to get back to the negotiating table. The question though is: Why does the prime minister just keep getting it so wrong about what the US president will say and do? This is not the first time that Sir Keir has suggested Trump will do one thing and then the US president has done the opposite. We can go back to Starmer's cosy chat in the Oval Office when the two had their first formal meeting as prime minister and president in March. At the time and just before handing Trump the invitation from the King for a state visit, Sir Keir said he wanted 'to thank you for changing the conversation on the war in Ukraine.' It seemed an odd phrase even then given that Trump seemed to be dead set on forcing Ukraine to accept a peace on Russia's terms. But it looked far worse 24 hours later after vice president J.D. Vance and president Trump berated and humiliated Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky in the same Oval Office forcing him to leave their meeting. Then in May Sir Keir and President Trump were on the opposite ends of a public zoom call congratulating each other for the trade deal they had just struck over the White House's global tariff regime. 'Donald, thank you for your leadership,' the prime minister said, emphasising the first name terms. All seemed well until later in the month when Trump announced steel tariffs would be 50 per cent, not 25 per cent, and it turned out the UK/ US trade deal had not actually been implemented. It took til last week to get most of the deal implemented apart from steel which is still subject to discussions with the UK tariff remaining at 25 per cent with a hope of zero per cent still on the table. At every turn it appears that the prime minister wants us to think the best of Trump only for the US president to be apparently determined to prove him quickly wrong. It may be wishful thinking on Sir Keir's part. After all, he is constantly hoping Trump will do the right thing. There is a case to point out that what else could he say in these circumstances especially as his primary diplomatic policy appears to be to assuage Trump's ego and butter the US president up as much as possible. To be fair, Starmer has had more success than most on the international stage and he rightly speaks of his 'warm relationship' with the US president who in turn has gone out of his way to praise the prime minister's leadership. There is a sense from a popular American phrase of 'speaking things into existence', in that if you want something to happen it is better to say it will happen and hope that is enough to ensure it does. But perhaps it is because of the quixotic nature of the US president. He thinks one thing at one moment and then changes his mind when he leaves the room. It could be all of the above. But even those who wanted to believe Starmer last week thought he was being extremely naive in suggesting the president was pursuing de-escalation. It all reflects a complex international situation for the prime minister in his first year and one which is only going to heat up further. The problem is that our prime minister seems incapable of guessing what the biggest international player and UK's most important ally will do next.
South Wales Guardian
13 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
UK must push for diplomatic solution following US strikes on Iran, says Swinney
The Scottish First Minister's response to the developments in the Middle East came after Sir Keir Starmer urged Iran to return to negotiations. UK minister Douglas Alexander said the Government 'has been putting contingencies in place' as the region braces for any potential retaliation from Iran. US President Donald Trump said three key nuclear sites in Iran were 'completely and fully obliterated' in the military strikes. The US is thought to have used B-2 stealth bombers to drop bunker-busting munitions on the sites – including the deeply-buried Fordo facility – as well as 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from submarines. The US-UK base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean is not thought to have been used in the operation. Posting on X, Mr Swinney said: 'The Middle East conflict has reached an alarmingly greater level of danger after the US attacks on Iran. 'The conflict must be stopped by a diplomatic solution delivered through the international community. And the UK Government must insist on that now.' The Prime Minister had earlier said Iran should 'return to the negotiating table', noting the region remains 'volatile'. The Middle East conflict has reached an alarmingly greater level of danger after the US attacks on Iran. The conflict must be stopped by a diplomatic solution delivered through the international community. And the U.K. Government must insist on that now. — John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) June 22, 2025 He said: 'Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. 'Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat.' Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf was critical of the Prime Minister's response. He posted on social media: 'An awful statement from the PM, which ignores our collective responsibility to uphold international law. 'Supporting illegal military action in Iran, and gas-lighting us about an imminent nuclear threat, is hauntingly reminiscent of the lies told in the run up to the Iraq war.' During a protest march in London, Mr Yousaf had earlier accused the UK Government of 'abusing' anti-terror laws against the Palestine Action group, which vandalised two aircraft at RAF Brize Norton. Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call… — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 22, 2025 Trade policy minister Mr Alexander, who is the MP for Lothian East and a former international development minister, spoke to the BBC's Sunday Show. He said: 'I understand that people have woken up this morning to the news that was breaking overnight with a real sense of concern. 'I want to assure your viewers that the British Government has been putting contingencies in place. 'There have been a whole series of meetings, I and other have been attending Cobra meetings in the course of the week.' He said plans are being put in place to move UK nationals in affected countries to safety, stressing the UK 'took no part in this military action'.
South Wales Guardian
13 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Starmer calls for ‘diplomatic solution' after US strikes Iran
The Prime Minister said Iran's nuclear programme is a 'grave threat' which the US military action would 'alleviate'. There was no British involvement in the action but the Government was informed in advance of the strikes, which involved B-2 stealth bombers and submarine-launched missiles. The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary David Lammy had sought to persuade Mr Trump's administration from holding off on joining Israel in striking Iran, arguing for de-escalation and a diplomatic process. But Mr Trump pushed ahead with the action anyway, which he claimed had 'completely and fully obliterated' key nuclear facilities. Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. We call… — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 22, 2025 The Prime Minister said: 'Iran's nuclear programme is a grave threat to international security. 'Iran can never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the US has taken action to alleviate that threat. 'The situation in the Middle East remains volatile and stability in the region is a priority. 'We call on Iran to return to the negotiating table and reach a diplomatic solution to end this crisis.' Cabinet minister Jonathan Reynolds would not say the UK supported the military action nor whether he believed the US strikes were legal. Asked on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg if the US action was a good thing, he said: 'The outcome. It isn't the means by which anyone in the British Government would have wanted to see this occur.' Pushed on whether the US strike was legal, he said: 'It is where we are today.' He said it would be 'naive' to think the risk of Iranian-backed terrorism in the UK will not increase as a result of the US and Israeli action. The Business Secretary told Sky News: 'This is not hypothetical. There is not a week goes by without some sort of Iranian cyber attack on a key part of UK critical national infrastructure. 'There is Iranian activity on the streets of the UK, which is wholly unacceptable.' He added: 'It's already at a significant level. I think it would be naive to say that that wouldn't potentially increase.' — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) June 22, 2025 The US attacked Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz which are linked to Iran's nuclear programme. The Tehran regime has insisted its nuclear programme is peaceful but its uranium enrichment process has gone far beyond what is required for power stations. In an address to the nation from the White House, Mr Trump warned there could be further strikes if Iran retaliates: 'There will either be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran.' The strikes followed a build-up of US military equipment, with B-2 stealth bombers – which are the only aircraft to carry a 30,000-pound bunker buster bomb – reportedly used to target the underground facilities. The aircraft have previously used the UK-US airbase on Diego Garcia, one of the Chagos Islands, but it is understood that was not involved in these strikes. The attack on Iran also involved US submarines, which launched around 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles. Mr Trump's move towards military action came despite Sir Keir's pleas for diplomacy and his repeated calls for de-escalation. On Thursday the Prime Minister warned of a 'real risk of escalation' in the conflict, adding there had previously been 'several rounds of discussions' with Washington and 'that, to me, is the way to resolve this issue'. Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of #Iran concerning the #UnitedStates military aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the… — Foreign Ministry, Islamic Republic of Iran 🇮🇷 (@IRIMFA_EN) June 22, 2025 The Foreign Secretary urged the US to pull back from the brink on a visit to Washington for talks with counterpart Marco Rubio before heading to talks with Iran on Friday alongside European allies. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'By targeting Iran's nuclear sites, the US has taken decisive action against a regime that fuels global terror and directly threatens the UK. 'Iranian operatives have plotted murders and attacks on British soil. We should stand firmly with the US and Israel.' By targeting Iran's nuclear sites, the US has taken decisive action against a regime that fuels global terror and directly threatens the UK. Iranian operatives have plotted murders and attacks on British soil. We should stand firmly with the US and Israel. — Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) June 22, 2025 Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also backed Mr Trump's decision to strike Iran. He said: 'Iran must not be allowed to have nuclear weapons, the future of Israel depends on it.' Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey said 'robust diplomacy' was now needed to eliminate Iran's nuclear threat, adding: 'Following the US strikes, it is essential that we work to de-escalate the conflict and achieve that diplomatic solution.' Scotland's First Minister John Swinney called for diplomacy, saying the Middle East conflict has reached 'an alarmingly greater level of danger after the US attacks on Iran'. Iran launched a ballistic missile barrage against Israel in retaliation to the US action. The foreign ministry in Tehran issued a statement condemning 'the United States' brutal military aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities'. It added: 'The Islamic Republic of Iran is resolved to defend Iran's territory, sovereignty, security and people by all force and means against the United States' criminal aggression.'
