AGM-181 LRSO
type of air-launched cruise missile
The AGM-181 Long Range Stand Off Weapon (LRSO) is a nuclear-armed air-launched cruise missile under development by Raytheon Technologies that will replace the AGM-86 ALCM. It will be carried by the B2A Spirit and B-21 Raider stealth bombers in addition to the B-52J Stratofortress platform of its predecessor. The LRSO program is to develop a weapon that can penetrate and survive integrated air defense systems and prosecute strategic targets. The weapons are required to reach initial operational capability (IOC) before the retirement of their respective ALCM versions, around 2030.
The FY2020 defense authorization bill passed by Congress repealed the requirement for a conventional warhead version of the LRSO, leaving only the nuclear armed variant. The Air Force will use the JASSM-ER and the longer-ranged JASSM-XR to fulfill the conventional standoff missile role.
Development
To replace the ALCM, the USAF planned to award a contract for the development of the new Long-Range Stand-Off weapon in 2015, with technology development contracts to be submitted before the end of 2012. Contracting was intended to end in 2022, when the Department of Defense was to select one design to continue further developments. However, in March 2014 a further three-year delay in the project was announced by the Department of Defense, delaying a contract award until fiscal year 2018. The House Armed Services Committee moved to reject this delay. The delay was caused by financial pressures and an uncertain acquisition plan, and allowed by the long remaining service life left for the AGM-86 and lack of urgent necessity compared to other defense needs.
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