After more than 40 years, the U.S. Air Force is preparing to retire its only air-launched nuclear cruise missile. In June 2025, the Pentagon released the first official rendering of the weapon that will take its place: a next-generation standoff missile designed for modern strategic missions. Built to penetrate advanced air defenses and extend the reach of America’s nuclear bombers, this new system marks a major step in the U.S. nuclear modernization effort.In this video, we take a closer look at the missile’s development, its place in the evolving U.S. arsenal, and what it signals about the future of American nuclear deterrence.