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Air Force

Defense Authorization Bill Omits Senate Proposal For LRSO Acceleration

Frank Wolfe

Monday, December 15th, 2025

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Defense Authorization Bill Omits Senate Proposal For LRSO Acceleration

A Radar Modernization Program (RMP)-modified B-52 Stratofortress arrives at Edwards AFB, Calif. on Dec. 8 (U.S. Air Force Photo)

The fiscal 2026 defense authorization conference bill turns back a proposal by the Senate to accelerate the Air Force AGM-181 Long Range Standoff (LRSO) nuclear cruise missile under development by RTX's [RTX] Raytheon business. The Senate bill recommended $756 million for LRSO--$149 million more than requested by the Air Force, including $141 million to accelerate the program and $8 million for “conventional variant advance planning.” The House-Senate agreement nixes the $141 million but provides about $3.3 million for the AGM-181…

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