"We must preempt them" - US in a frenzy, unveils new nuclear weapon as an answer to the Oreshnik - The French are also rushing

The statements by US President Donald Trump that the Americans will proceed with nuclear tests, as other countries are also doing, was the trigger for the nuclear competition to reignite.
In a move that reveals the intensity of the strategic confrontation with Russia, the United States unveiled the prototype of the state-of-the-art AGM-181 LRSO missile, which is capable of striking targets thousands of kilometers away. Meanwhile, France also stepped up the pace, testing the modernized ASMP-R and laying the groundwork for the hypersonic ASN4G, with speeds that defy imagination.
The new generation of nuclear weapons and the next moves of the world's great powers are leading the global balance to an explosive crossroads, where technology and speed will decide who will have the upper hand.

The answer to the Oreshnik

A photograph of the newest American nuclear missile appeared in Western media, shown under the wing of a B-52H strategic bomber. This is the AGM-181 LRSO (Long-Range Stand-off) prototype. The Pentagon presents it as an answer to Russia's "Oreshnik" system.
The first contract for the future AGM-181 missile for the US strategic aviation was planned as early as 2015. However, at the time there were many opponents in Congress and the Pentagon, who argued that this weapon was too expensive and ineffective compared to other means of delivering a nuclear warhead. Nevertheless, in 2017 the Department of Defense ordered two versions of the missile from Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.

Ready in 2027

In early July 2021, Raytheon was selected as the main and sole manufacturer, and $2 billion was allocated for design, flight tests, and preparation for mass production. The system is planned to enter service by 2027, with mass deliveries to the armed forces in the 2030s. The Pentagon expects to acquire at least 1,000 AGM-181s for the B-52 strategic bombers and the newer B-21s.

Characteristics

Little is known about the missile's technical specifications. American generals have repeatedly stated that strategic aviation must possess weapons capable of overcoming modern anti-aircraft defense arrays. This means that the AGM-181 uses composite materials and other elements of so-called stealth technology. According to experts, the flight range is 2,500 to 3,000 kilometers and its speed is 800 to 850 km/h.

Two versions

The Pentagon planned two versions of the AGM-181—nuclear and conventional. However, the conventional version was abandoned, as it would essentially duplicate the existing AGM-158 JASSM.
The nuclear warhead for the LRSO has already been selected—it is the industrially well-known W80 of the latest version, mod 4. It was announced that the first W80-4 would be assembled by September 2025. The warhead's power ranges from 5 to 150 kilotons, allowing for the effective destruction of both individual targets (e.g., missile silos) and wider areas.

Comparisons with Russia

Washington has repeatedly stated that the US must modernize its nuclear triad to avoid lagging behind Russia. The AGM-181 is presented as an answer to the "Oreshnik." However, these are asymmetric systems. The Russian system has a range of up to 5,500 km and features a multiple reentry vehicle with atomic guidance blocks. The LRSO is more similar to the Russian Kh-102 missile, with a power of 250 kilotons, carried by the Tu-160 long-range bombers.

Long arm

The issue of modernizing the nuclear arsenal is by no means negligible for the US. The LRSOs must replace the AGM-86B missiles, which were developed almost half a century ago and entered service in 1981. As admitted in the US Air Force, over the years the maintenance of these weapons has become increasingly difficult due to the age of their electronic components. Furthermore, modern Russian and Chinese anti-aircraft systems can easily detect and shoot down the relatively slow AGM-86B.

Terrible weapon

However, in their time, these missiles were a terrible weapon. The AGM-86B travels approximately 2,500 km. Its engine accelerates the bomb up to 1,000 km/h. The wings and rudders are foldable and deploy from the body two seconds after launch. Flight is guided by an inertial navigation system: a digital flight computer, an inertial platform, and a barometric altimeter. The missile is quite accurate—the circular error probable (CEP) does not exceed 80 meters, which is non-critical for a nuclear warhead.

The B-52 bombers

The AGM-86B is carried by the B-52 strategic bombers, with the capacity to carry up to 20 missiles: 8 in the bomb bay and 12 under the wings. However, for the modern long-range bombers B-1 and B-2, the AGM-86B is too large. This is one of the reasons the Pentagon decided to modernize the arsenal. The B-52 has been in service for over half a century—since February 1955. Although their use has been extended until 2030, the aircraft are clearly old and will be replaced, leaving the US with limited nuclear missile delivery capabilities.

"Gold" carrier

The main carriers of the LRSO will be the "invisible" B-21 Raider. The new strategic bomber has been under development by Northrop Grumman since 2016. Assembly of the first flight model began in September 2019 and was unveiled to the public in December 2022 at the company's plant in Palmdale. In September 2025, flight tests of the second prototype began for the integration of weapons and control systems. There are about ten bombers in various stages of construction.
The B-21 Raider has a "flying wing" design and externally resembles the B-2, but is more compact: a wingspan of 45m instead of 52m. Full technical details have not been released, but it is subsonic and can carry up to 9 tons of weapons—from JASSM-ER missiles to B-61 nuclear bombs. The Pentagon plans to order up to 145 aircraft, but the high price may limit the number.

French premiere

Besides the US, the French also unveiled a new nuclear weapon. Media showed a Rafale, equipped with the ASMPA-R missile, a modernized version of the ASMP-A (in service since 2009, an evolution of the ASMP from 1986).
The ASMP-R is a missile with a nuclear warhead power of up to 300 kilotons and a range of 500–600 km. It will form the basis of the air component of the French nuclear arsenal. It entered service in 2024 and participated in Operation Durandal exercises. France is developing a next-generation missile—the hypersonic ASN4G, with the same warhead, a range of 1,000 km, and a speed of 6–7 Mach. The Rafale F5 will be modified for it. The new missile is expected to be in service in 2035. Russia is already actively and successfully using its counterpart—the hypersonic Kinzhal—against targets in Ukraine.

www.bankingnews.gr