The U.S. Air Force’s B-52 Bomber Is Getting a Big ‘Nuclear’ Missile Upgrade

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Key Points: The U.S. Air Force is integrating the next-generation Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) cruise missile onto the iconic B-52 bomber.

-Designed for both conventional and nuclear missions, the LRSO lets commanders strike targets from safer stand-off distances to counter advanced Russian and Chinese air defense systems. While critics fear that a dual-capable weapon may lower the nuclear threshold or spark miscalculation, advocates argue that expanded strike options bolster deterrence.

-The B-52’s upgraded fire control, sensors, and other interfaces are being adapted for seamless LRSO deployment. Alongside emerging technologies like manned-unmanned teaming, the LRSO adds a powerful new dimension to American global strike.

Stand-Off Superpower: The B-52 Bomber Big Leap with the LRSO Missile

The US Air Force is arming its classic B-52 bomber with the cutting-edge, paradigm changing, nuclear capable Long-Range-Standoff (LRSO) weapon cruise missile.

The Air Force has been working with industry partners to “integrate” the LRSO onto the platform, something which will invariably introduce new concepts of operation for the B-52. The idea with the weapon is of course to afford commanders an opportunity to destroy enemy targets at much longer “stand-off” ranges to avoid advanced air defenses and prevent manned aircraft from being at risk. In the event that advanced enemy air defenses or other combat developments prevent stealth bombers and fighters from operating in a “stand-in” capability in closer proximity to an enemy, the LRSO can offer new air-attack options.

LRSO Controversy

The LRSO is also nuclear capable, a factor which has been the subject of considerable debate. The primary concern, as articulated by members of Congress, is that the introduction of such a weapon might “lower-the-threshold” to nuclear war, making it more likely. Yet another concern is that as a “dual-capable” conventional and nuclear weapon, there is a potential risk that an adversary might mistake a conventional LRSO attack for a nuclear strike and respond with nuclear weapons.

Proponents, such Pentagon, Air Force and industry weapons developers, supported by a majority of lawmakers, is that commanders need a wide range of options with which to ensure and strengthen strategic deterrence, meaning that the presence of the LRSO is much more likely to “prevent” a nuclear exchange. This view has prevailed thus far, given that the Air Force’s 2024 budget requested funds for the purchase of as many as 1,000 LRSO weapons.

In development for many years as a follow-on next generation weapon to the B-52-fired Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM), the LRSO brings a series of new technologies to the realm of cruise missile air attack. While many of the specific technologies are, not surprisingly, unavailable for security reasons, the concept for the weapon is clear.

Enemy air defenses such as Russia’s S-400 and S-500 and China’s HQ-9 system continue to become much more advanced, high-tech and precise. Russian media claims its SAMS can even detect and destroy stealth aircraft, an ambitious and unconfirmed claim which may not be likely in light of advancements in stealth technology. Nonetheless, enemy air defenses now operate with digital networks, and increased ability to share target detail across formations, much longer ranges and an ability to operate on many frequencies at one time.

The intent of air defenses is to use both low-frequency “surveillance” radar which can blanket an area and confirm that “something” is there, however higher frequency “engagement” radar is necessary to achieve a target lock and actually destroy an aircraft. This second part, the engagement radar, requires much more precision and narrowly configured targeting systems which are likely quite challenged to actually “hit” stealth aircraft.

The improvement of Russian and Chinese air defenses however, are almost certain to be part of why the Air Force’s B-21 is engineered with what is described as an entirely new generation of stealth technology. Existing stealth aircraft such as the B-2, F-22 and now nuclear-capable F-35 have also been consistently upgraded with newer, more advanced stealth properties such as coating materials, improved thermal management, embedded antennas and other signature-reducing technologies.

Boeing B-52 static display with weapons, Barksdale AFB 2006. Image: Creative Commons.

Yet another critical improvement regarding efforts to counter advanced air defenses relates to the arrival of manned-unmanned teaming, meaning groups of unmanned drones are operated from the cockpit of a stealth fighter jet to test enemy defenses, blanket areas with ISR or even deliver weapons while manned aircraft operate at safer distances performing command and control. 

LRSO B-52 Integration

The service has been working with Boeing to “integrate” the weapon onto the B-52, a task which requires technical interfaces, fire control alignment and connected command and control and guidance systems. 

About the Author: Kris Osborn 

Kris Osborn previously served at the Pentagon as a Highly Qualified Expert with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army—Acquisition, Logistics & Technology. Osborn has also worked as an anchor and on-air military specialist at national TV networks. He has appeared as a guest military expert on Fox News, MSNBC, The Military Channel, and The History Channel. He also has a Master’s Degree in Comparative Literature from Columbia University.