Raytheon wins $2 billion contract for nuclear missile design

Raytheon Technologies has won a $2 billion contract to develop a new Long Range Standoff (LRSO) weapon system for the US military - a nuclear-capable, air-launched cruise missile with a range of 1,500 miles. The US expects the new weapon system to enter full production in 2027, and plans to build up to 1,000. The weapon will be able to carry low-medium yield W80 nuclear warheads, as well as conventional munitions.

The LRSO will replace the AGM-86B air-launched cruise missile, designed in the 1970s. In 2017 the US Department of Defense awarded $900m contracts to both Raytheon and Lockheed Martin to each develop their own designs for the LRSO, and selected Raytheon as the prime contractor in April 2020.