Jaw-dropping photos might present ‘secret’ city-destroying US nuclear missile
It is thought the missile will have an adjustable nuclear yield between 5-150 kilotons, allowing uses ranging from tactical effect to destroying cities
These jaw-dropping images appear to show a “secret” city-destroying US nuclear missile. A plane-spotter captured what could be the first photos of a powerful next-generation stealth nuclear cruise missile, fixed to the wing of a B-52 long-range bomber.
Military experts believe it could be the US Air Force’s AGM-181 LRSO. Designed to replace the AGM-86B on B-52 and B-21 bombers, the missile has a range of about 2,500 km and carries an adjustable thermonuclear warhead.
Military website The Aviationist points out that the bomber carried classic orange test markings and two unidentified weapons that bear a striking resemblance to public renderings of the AGM-181A.
It is thought the missile will have an adjustable nuclear yield between 5-150 kilotons, allowing uses ranging from tactical effect to destroying cities. A yield of 150 kilotons is ten times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima in August 1945.
The missile is set to replace the Cold War-era AGM-86B and will be carried by both the forthcoming £585m B-21 Raider and upgraded B-52 bombers.
Photographer Ian Recchio said: “I was perched on a hill overlooking Owens Valley where I often try and photograph military aircraft flying the Sidewinder Low Level route.
“This B-52 was using the callsign ‘Torch’, which is commonly used by Edwards (Air Force Base) bombers. It continued crossing over Highway 395 where it had begun to gain altitude.
“By the time it reached me it was at about 4,000-5,000 feet AGL, based on the scanner calls I was listening to and my experience in the field. This altitude, of course, is not ideal for quality photography, but lending to the size of the aircraft, the relatively clear weather and using some good equipment, I was able to capture a decent photo of this iconic airframe.
“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.
“As always, I am ultra-cognisant of posting military photos publicly when there might be something sensitive on the image. In this case it was clear that, as this aircraft had flown low over several populated areas and then crossed a major highway, there was nothing to hide.”
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