First Glimpse of America's New Stealth Nuclear Missile
In a remarkable turn of events, a California-based aviation enthusiast appears to have captured the first-ever photographs of a highly classified US nuclear weapon during an alleged test flight. Ian Recchio, a dedicated planespotter, managed to photograph the mysterious flying object while observing military aircraft over the Owen Valley.
Military analysts examining the images now strongly believe the weapon is the AGM-181 LRSO, the United States Air Force's next-generation stealth nuclear cruise missile designed to replace Cold War-era systems.
A Weapon of Immense Power
The newly revealed missile represents a significant advancement in nuclear capabilities. Experts indicate the weapon will feature an adjustable nuclear yield between 5 and 150 kilotons, providing flexibility from tactical use to city-destroying force.
To put this power into perspective, the upper yield of 150 kilotons represents an explosive force ten times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in August 1945. The missile is scheduled to enter service by 2030 and will be carried by both the forthcoming £585 million B-21 Raider and upgraded B-52 bombers.
The Discovery Moment
Mr Recchio described the moment of discovery to The Aviationist: 'We heard Torch52 on the scanner and looked up just in time to catch it climbing to about 5,000 feet.' The photographer noted that when reviewing his images, the ordnance looked unlike anything he had seen before.
The bomber displayed classic orange test markings and carried two unidentified weapons that closely resemble public renderings of the AGM-181A. 'This B-52 was using the callsign 'Torch', which is commonly used by Edwards Air Force Base bombers,' Recchio added, demonstrating his expertise in military aviation patterns.
Advanced Capabilities and Strategic Importance
This development comes amid growing nuclear tensions globally. The United States has reportedly been covertly testing the weapon for some time, with China's rapidly expanding nuclear arsenal cited as one of the central reasons for its advancement.
The AGM-181 LRSO boasts sophisticated capabilities including:
- Stealth technology making it difficult to detect
- Electronic jamming resistance
- Thermonuclear strike capability
- Low-observable design for enhanced survivability
Defence experts speaking to 19FortyFive emphasized that the missile's 'low-observable design' will make it considerably more challenging for enemy defences to detect and destroy. Despite official confirmation that the nuclear warhead has undergone multiple tests, US military leaders have maintained remarkable secrecy around what is considered one of their most significant new weapons.
Mr Recchio expressed his surprise at the discovery: 'Like most digital photographers I proceeded to zoom into my LCD to see how the images turned out. To my delight there were a couple of interesting munitions visible on one of the wing pylons. I am by no means an expert in munitions, as I am most concerned with capturing nice images of aircraft, but this was intriguing.'
If the experts' identification proves correct, this represents the first time the deadly missile has been photographed over California, offering an unprecedented public glimpse into America's evolving nuclear deterrent capabilities.
