US reveals new stealth nuclear cruise missiles on Cold War bomber

The US military was spotted testing a new stealth nuclear weapon on a Cold War bomber last week — just as the Air Force was preparing to test its Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

An Air Force B-52H Stratofortress was pictured flying over California’s Owens Valley Oct. 29, with the snapshot revealing rockets underneath its wing that appeared to match renderings of the AGM-181A Long-Range Standoff nuclear cruise-missile, The Aviationist reported.

While the exact missile on board the jet could not be independently verified, the B-52 is the key long-range, heavy bomber that makes up one leg of America’s nuclear triad — which can launch doomsday weapons from the land, sea and air.

Aviation photographer Ian Recchio was in the Owens Valley on Oct. 29 when he caught a glimpse of the B-52H soaring at low altitudes, prompting him to snap a pic, he told the aviation outlet.

A zoom-in on the weapons aboard the jet resembled renderings published earlier this year of the new Long-Range Standoff rockets, the Air Force’s next-gen stealth nuclear cruise missiles, according to The Aviationist.

The missile — which is still being tested — is poised to replace the older AGM-86B Air-Launched Cruise Missile and update America’s nuclear arsenal in the face of Russia and China’s growing atomic stockpile.

The sighting came just a week before the US fired its latest Minuteman doomsday missile early Wednesday, testing the second leg of America’s doomsday atomic deterrent — meant to be launched only in response to a nuclear attack by an enemy nation.

Along with the jets and intercontinental missiles, the US also maintains Trident nuclear missiles that can be launched from Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines.

The testing of America’s nuclear triad has garnered new importance after President Trump ordered the US to restart its atomic weapons testing last week.

The order came following Moscow’s latest testing of its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, which Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed as “invincible” and capable of hitting any target on the planet.