The Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) Cruise Missile and its Role in Future Nuclear Forces

Abstract

The United States has a nuclear triad that consists of ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), B-52 bombers, and B-2 bombers. The non-stealthy B-52 relies entirely on the AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) in the nuclear role, whereas the B-2 penetrates enemy airspace to drop unguided bombs. The current SSBNs, ICBMs, ALCMs, and B61 bombs will all reach end of life between the early 2020s (for the B61 bomb) and the early 2040s, whereas the B-52 should last until at least 2045 and the B-2 should last until at least 2050. Programs are well under way for a new SSBN, a new bomber, and the B61-12 guided bomb, whereas programs have just started for a new ICBM and for the Long-Range Standoff (LRSO) cruise missile that is planned to replace the AGM-86. Among these programs, the LRSO is the most controversial and (probably) the one at most risk of cancellation. Analyses presented here suggest that LRSO is critical to the future of the triad and should not be terminated or delayed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2017
Accession Number
AD1041075

Entities

People

  • Dennis Evans
  • Jonathan Schwalbe

Organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Counter WMD
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Air Force
  • Air Launched
  • Ballistic Missile Submarines
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Collateral Damage
  • Cruise Missiles
  • Department Of Defense
  • Guided Bombs
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Materials Science
  • Nuclear Warheads
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Ohio Class
  • Standoff Missiles
  • Submarine Warfare
  • Submarines
  • United States
  • Warfare
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Space