The U.S. Air Force has awarded contracts to Lockheed Martin and Raytheon to advance their design concepts and prove technologies for a new long-range stand off (LRSO) nuclear missile to equip its strategic bomber fleet. Plans call for fielding for the LRSO in the late 2020s.

On August 23, the Air Force announced technology maturation and risk-reduction contract awards of about $900 million each to the two defense contractors. The service will choose a single contractor to proceed to the engineering and manufacturing development phase in 2022.

The LRSO will replace the Boeing-built AGM-86B air-launched cruise missile (ALCM), which entered service in 1986 with a 10-year design life. According to the Air Force, the ALCM faces “increasingly significant operational challenges against emerging threats and reliability challenges until replaced.”

The new missile represents the next-generation strategic-deterrent missile carried by the air component of the U.S. nuclear triad. The Air Force plans to fit the LRSO on the B-52H Stratofortress, the B-2 Spirit and the future B-21 Raider bombers.

“This weapon will modernize the air-based leg of the nuclear triad,” stated Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson. “Deterrence works if our adversaries know that we can hold at risk things they value. This weapon will enhance our ability to do so, and we must modernize it cost-effectively.”

In a press release, Lockheed Martin said the LRSO will be capable of penetrating and surviving advanced integrated air defense systems from a significant standoff range, supporting the Air Force’s global attack and strategic deterrence missions. Raytheon did not immediately issue a press release.