Aviation photographer Ryan Watamura has done it again, capturing jaw-dropping images of a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress roaring through California’s rugged terrain on November 5, 2025, with the highly secretive AGM-181 Long Range Stand Off (LRSO) nuclear cruise missile mounted on its external pylon. This is the second confirmed public sighting of the next-generation stealth weapon in less than a week, sending ripples through defense circles and offering a rare glimpse into one of America’s most critical nuclear modernization programs.
The B-52H, operating under the callsign TORCH, was spotted blasting through the Sidewinder Low Level training route at an impressive 390 knots and just 2,000 feet above the ground. Watamura, who had photographed a similar configuration the week prior, was ready and waiting. “It checked in mid-afternoon and came through fast,” he said. “One pylon loaded with the new weapon—a perfect end to a long day of chasing aircraft in golden light.”
The missile’s design is unmistakable. Its sleek, angular body, recessed air intake, and low-observable exhaust nozzle match official U.S. Air Force renderings of the LRSO with near-perfect precision. While the Pentagon has not officially acknowledged these flights, the visual evidence is overwhelming—this is the real deal.
Adding to the significance, the bomber displayed START treaty compliance fins on its tail, a clear indicator that this aircraft is certified for nuclear missions. These markings are required under the New START arms control agreement to allow Russian inspectors to distinguish nuclear-capable bombers from conventional variants during verification visits. In other words, this wasn’t a routine training sortie. This was a strategic asset testing a strategic weapon.
The AGM-181 LRSO is poised to replace the aging AGM-86B Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM), which has been in service since the 1980s. The older ALCM fleet, once numbering 1,715 units, has been reduced to just 528 and is scheduled for full retirement by 2030. In its place, the Air Force plans to field approximately 1,020 LRSO missiles, ensuring long-range, survivable nuclear strike capability well into the future.
Unlike its predecessor, the LRSO is designed from the ground up for stealth. It features advanced low-observable technology to penetrate sophisticated integrated air defense systems (IADS), allowing it to strike high-value targets from standoff distances far beyond the reach of enemy defenses. It will be carried by both the upgraded B-52H and the stealthy new B-21 Raider bomber, forming a critical link in America’s airborne nuclear triad.
The missile is mounted on a Multiple Ejector Rack (MER) on the B-52’s outer wing pylon, a configuration typically used for conventional weapons but now being adapted for LRSO integration testing. These tests evaluate aerodynamics, separation dynamics, structural loads, and control surface deployment—essential steps before the weapon can be cleared for operational use.
The LRSO program has been remarkably discreet until recently. Raytheon was selected as the prime contractor in 2020, and the missile entered Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD) the following year. By 2022, nine successful flight tests had been completed, demonstrating safe separation from the B-52, engine ignition, flight control actuation, and stable flight.
In 2024, Air Force acquisition chief Andrew Hunter told Congress the program was “tracking well” and on schedule to deliver to the warfighter. Low-rate initial production is expected to begin in fiscal year 2027, with a total program cost estimated at $16 billion. Each missile is projected to cost around $14 million—higher than the original $10 million target but still within acceptable bounds for such advanced technology.
Interestingly, early discussions included a conventionally armed version of the LRSO, but the Air Force ultimately decided against it. That role will now be filled by extended-range variants of the AGM-158 JASSM family, including the JASSM-ER and the newer JASSM-XR.
The timing and visibility of these test flights raise intriguing questions. Flying a classified nuclear weapon at low altitude, in clear weather, over a well-known training corridor frequented by spotters is not something that happens by accident. Many analysts believe the U.S. Air Force wants these images to circulate. With Russia issuing nuclear threats and global tensions rising, showcasing the LRSO in broad daylight sends a powerful message: America’s nuclear deterrent is modern, capable, and ready.
The B-52 itself is undergoing a massive modernization effort to keep it relevant through 2050 and beyond. New Rolls-Royce F130 engines, an AESA radar, upgraded avionics, and enhanced weapons integration are all in the works. The LRSO is just one part of a broader upgrade that will also see the bomber carry hypersonic weapons, advanced conventional cruise missiles, and electronic warfare systems.
These photos are more than just aviation eye candy. They represent a pivotal moment in strategic deterrence. A 70-year-old airframe, armed with 21st-century stealth technology, is helping ensure that America’s nuclear umbrella remains credible in an increasingly dangerous world.
Defense enthusiasts and analysts will no doubt keep their cameras and scanners trained on the skies. More sightings are likely as testing intensifies ahead of initial operational capability. For now, Ryan Watamura’s images stand as a historic record of a new era in airborne nuclear strike.
About The Author
