US bomber seen carrying prototype of new stealth nuclear cruise missile PHOTO

A U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber has been photographed over California carrying what appears to be the first visible prototype of the AGM-181 Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) missile — America’s next-generation stealth nuclear cruise missile.

The sighting, captured by aviation photographer Ian Recchio and reported by The Aviationist, marks a rare glimpse of one of the most secretive projects in the U.S. nuclear modernisation programme.

The B-52H Stratofortress was spotted flying over the Owens Valley on October 29 with two unidentified weapons mounted beneath its right wing. The aircraft bore the distinct orange markings typical of Air Force test aircraft.

According to Recchio, who shared the images on social media, the aircraft—callsign Torch52—was observed entering the low-level training route before climbing to about 5,000 feet, allowing a clear view of the payload. Close-up photographs revealed a wedge-shaped weapon featuring fold-out wings and an inverted-T tail — features that closely match renderings of the AGM-181 LRSO.

The LRSO is being developed by Raytheon to replace the ageing AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile, providing the U.S. with a stealthy, long-range nuclear option capable of penetrating advanced air defences. It will arm both the B-52 Stratofortress and the new B-21 Raider stealth bomber.

Though the Air Force has not confirmed the weapon’s identity, the resemblance to the official LRSO render — first released in June 2025 — is striking. Analysts note that the design’s air-breathing engine and subsonic flight profile are consistent with a stealth standoff weapon designed for nuclear deterrence missions.

The timing of the flight has also drawn attention. The appearance of a possible LRSO prototype came just days after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced new tests of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, seen as part of Moscow’s strategic deterrent.

Defence observers suggest the public visibility of the test flight may not have been accidental. The U.S. Air Force has previously been known to showcase new strategic capabilities in subtle displays of strength.

The LRSO programme, valued at around $16 billion, is expected to enter low-rate production by 2027, with an estimated unit cost of $14 million. About 1,020 missiles are set to replace the current stock of ALCMs by 2030, reinforcing the U.S. nuclear triad amid rising geopolitical tensions.

By Aghakazim Guliyev