Air Launched Nuclear Missles

Latest in Air Launched Nuclear Missles

French authorities have provided the first real look at the latest version of the Air-Sol Moyenne Portee (ASMP; or Medium-Range Air-to-Surface) ramjet-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile.
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

France’s New Nuclear-Armed Supersonic Cruise Missile Seen Clearly For The First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 13, 2025

MOSCOW, RUSSA - SEPTEMBER 02: The warhead cruise missili (1977) on display during an exhibition titled "70 Years of the Atomic Industry: A Chain Reaction of Success" organised by Rosatom agency at Manege Central Exhibition Centre in Moscow, Russia, on September, 02,2015. (Photo by Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

Experts Explain How Long It Would Take Russia To Resume Nuclear Weapons Detonation Tests

By Howard Altman

Updated on Nov 5, 2025

Nuclear test done underground at the Nevada Test Site.
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

Experts Explain How Reviving Nuclear Weapons Tests Would Actually Happen

By Howard Altman

Posted on Oct 30, 2025

China officially unveiled a nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) called the JL-1 at its sprawling military parade in Beijing yesterday.
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

China’s JL-1 Air Launched Ballistic Missile’s Official Debut Is A Big Deal

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 4, 2025

USAF Hopeful Second B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Will Fly Before Year End
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

USAF Hopeful Second B-21 Raider Stealth Bomber Will Fly Before Year End

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 27, 2025

An artist's rendering of the Long Range Standoff Weapon is shown.
Long-Range Standoff Weapon (LRSO)

First Glimpse Of Air Force’s New Stealth Nuclear Cruise Missile

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jun 11, 2025

Russia is introducing new nuclear-tipped air-to-air missiles as part of an overall expansion of its nuclear forces, according to an assessment from the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency, or DIA. While nuclear-armed air-to-air missiles were part of the Soviet Union’s armory during the Cold War, their current status within the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS), is little-known, which makes the disclosure from this U.S. intelligence agency all the more intriguing.
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

Russia Fielding New Nuclear-Armed Air-To-Air Missiles: U.S. Intel

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 21, 2025

French Air and Space Force Rafale fighters from a nuclear-strike-tasked unit are among the aircraft taking part in a power-projection exercise including operations over Sweden, which joined NATO a little over a year ago. The latest edition of the Pégase (Pegasus) drill comes as European NATO members look at bolstering their nuclear deterrence capabilities independent of the United States, with France very much at the center of these discussions. Notably, the maneuvers are being also accompanied by an exercise in which French military aircraft were rapidly dispersed to alternative airfields, something that would be required in a large-scale conflict with Russia.
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

French Rafale Fighters Project Power Forward To Sweden

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 23, 2025

France's President Emmanuel Macron (C) delivers a speech in front of a Dassault Mirage 2000 (L) and a Dassault Rafale (R) fighter aircrafts during his visit of the French Air and Space Force (Armee de l'air et de l'espace) Luxeuil-Saint-Sauveur Airbase in Saint-Sauveur, north-eastern France on March 18, 2025.
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

France To Expand Its Nuclear Deterrent With New Air Base

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 18, 2025

France is apparently looking at the possibility of deploying air-launched nuclear weapons to Germany, a consideration that’s being made amid growing concerns that the United States will no longer guarantee European security under NATO. Broader discussions about nuclear deterrence among European leaders points very clearly to the deepening crisis in the transatlantic alliance under U.S. President Donald Trump.
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

France Eyeing Deployment Of Nuclear-Armed Rafale Fighters To Germany: Report

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 25, 2025

While the 1950s was a time of truly unusual and fast-paced innovation in military aerospace, one of the more bizarre projects was for a nuclear-armed, liquid-fueled development of the Sidewinder air-to-air missile.
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

The Navy Nearly Built A Nuclear Armed “Super Sidewinder” Air-To-Air Missile

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 1, 2025

Congress is pressing ahead with legislation that would compel the Air Force to restore nuclear capability to its entire fleet of B-52 bombers after the likely sunset of an armed control deal with Russia.
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

What It Will Take To Make The Entire B-52 Fleet Nuclear-Capable

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jun 26, 2024

Flight testing of the Air Force's future nuclear-tipped AGM-181A Long Range Stand Off cruise missile is well under way.
Long-Range Standoff Weapon (LRSO)

Flight Testing Of Air Force’s New Nuclear-Armed Cruise Missile Well Underway

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 3, 2023

F-15EX Conformal Tank Funds Sought, Fleet Size Questions Reemerge (Updated)
Long-Range Standoff Weapon (LRSO)

F-15EX Conformal Tank Funds Sought, Fleet Size Questions Reemerge (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 20, 2023

B-2’s First Launch Of Stealthy JASSM-ER Cruise Missile Disclosed
Long-Range Standoff Weapon (LRSO)

B-2’s First Launch Of Stealthy JASSM-ER Cruise Missile Disclosed

By Thomas Newdick, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 26, 2022

View of USAF B-52 Stratofortress Bomber in Flight
Air Launched Nuclear Missles

A Look Back At All The B-52 Variants As The Iconic Bomber Hits 70

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 16, 2022