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USAF's 'Raptor 2.0' Enters Flight Tests as AGM-181 LRSO Trials Advance

Lockheed Martin's 'Raptor 2.0' — a deep F-22 overhaul including stealth underwing fuel tanks and new sensor pods — has entered flight testing, offering extended range and improved passive sensing. Simultaneously, USAF trials of the AGM-181 LRSO, seen on B-52s, are advancing the service's nuclear modernization.

Discovered 2026-03-22T21:45:16.505264-07:00 | 2026-03-22T21:45:16.505264-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • Flight testing of 'Raptor 2.0' — revealing stealth underwing tanks and sensor pods that extend range and passive detection — represents a material capability upgrade for an existing air superiority platform and ties directly into broader F-22 operational experiments such as recent manned–unmanned teaming trials.
  • Observed AGM-181 LRSO captive‑carry trials on B-52s show progress toward replacing the AGM-86B ALCM by the end of the decade, accelerating USAF nuclear modernization and affecting bomber force structure and sustainment plans; see the wider bomber production and modernization context here: bomber production/modernization.

Reported By

news.ssbcrack.com af.mil realcleardefense.com Air & Space Forces Mag 19fortyfive.com Aviation A2Z
Sources Tracked
16
First Seen
2026-03-22T21:45:16.505264-07:00
Latest Update
2026-03-27T12:39:57.591628-07:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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