Defence industry

The U.S. Air Force might deploy a new generation of air-launched, nuclear-armed cruise missiles earlier than planned due to successful design work, prototyping and conceptual development for the weapon. By choosing Raytheon’s design as a “sole source contractor,” the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center expressed confidence that the weapon will arrive “on-schedule,” according to a report in Air Force Magazine.

Early plans called for delivery of the Long-Range Stand-Off (LRSO) Weapon by 2030. However, given that the program is progressing very well ahead of schedule for its next milestone in 2022, its arrival could easily be earlier.

There is always the chance major global powers could become immersed in a high-stakes, dangerous escalation of tension, raising the possibility of a nuclear confrontation. The hope is that the existence of a new long-range nuclear-armed cruise missile would provide that unique additional variable necessary to keep the peace....MORE