US B-52 Bombers Cruise Missile: V2X has received a $46 million U.S. Air Force delivery order to produce equipment that will help the B-52 Stratofortress carry the new Long Range Standoff (LRSO) cruise missile. The company announced the award on September 15, 2026.
The work is part of the Air Force’s wider effort to modernize its long-range bomber weapons. V2X will make carriage equipment needed to support the LRSO weapon system on the B-52. The order was placed through the Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract, which is an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract.
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New Equipment for the B-52
The LRSO is being developed to replace the older AGM-86B Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM). The current missile entered service decades ago and has faced growing maintenance and operational challenges as it gets older. The Air Force says LRSO is being developed as a long-range standoff weapon that can operate against advanced air defense systems.
V2X’s job will focus on the equipment that connects the new weapon system with the bomber. This may sound like a small part of the wider missile program, but this equipment is needed for the weapon to be carried and integrated with the aircraft.
The LRSO is planned for use with U.S. bomber forces. Air Force information says the weapon will be integrated on both existing and future bomber aircraft. The B-52 is also going through other major upgrades as the service prepares the aircraft to remain in operation for years to come.
LRSO Program
The Air Force considers LRSO an important part of its strategic deterrence modernization. The missile is designed as a survivable standoff weapon, meaning the bomber doesn’t need to fly directly over a heavily defended target to launch it. The Air Force says the system is intended to help deal with advanced integrated air defense systems and changing threats.
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The B-52 is also being upgraded under the move from the B-52H to the future B-52J. Planned improvements include new engines, radar and other weapons upgrades. LRSO is one of the major weapon changes linked with this long-term modernization effort.
“Supporting the modernization of the B-52 and our nation’s strategic deterrent is a responsibility we take seriously,” said Jeremy C. Wensinger, President and Chief Executive Officer of V2X.
“This award reflects the trust our customer places in V2X to deliver high-quality solutions that enable mission success and support one of the Air Force’s highest modernization priorities,” he added.
V2X’s Role in US Defense Work
V2X is based in Reston, Virginia, and works on engineering, manufacturing, sustainment and mission support for defense customers across air, land, sea, space and cyber operations.
With this order, the company will support one specific part of the LRSO integration process. Its production work will help prepare the B-52 fleet to carry the replacement for the Air-Launched Cruise Missile.
The LRSO program is currently in its developmental test phase. The Air Force says the program is moving ahead toward its required fielding schedule. Earlier Air Force planning identified 2030 as the target period for starting LRSO fielding.
