US President Donald Trump’s ‘secret’ city-destroying nuclear weapon appears to have been pictured for the first time by a planespotter during an alleged test flight.
Californian plane enthusiast Ian Recchio spotted the flying object while attempting to picture military aircrafts while overlooking the Owen Valley.
Now, military experts believe it could be the AGM-181 LRSO, the US Air Force’s (USAF) next-generation stealth nuclear cruise missile.
The missile is set to replace the Cold War-era AGM-86B and will be carried by both the forthcoming £585m B-21 Raider and upgraded B-52 bombers.
It is thought the weapon will have an adjustable nuclear yield between 5-150 kilotons, allowing uses ranging from tactical effect to destroying cities.
A yield of 150 kilotons is a blast ten times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima in August 1945.
And if experts are correct, it is the first time the deadly missile has ever been pictured over California.
Photographer Mr Recchio told The Aviationist: ‘We heard Torch52 on the scanner and looked up just in time to catch it climbing to about 5,000 feet.
‘When we reviewed the photos, the ordnance looked unlike anything we’d seen before.’
The bomber carried classic orange test markings and two unidentified weapons that bear a resemblance to public renderings of the AGM-181A, the publication said.
Officials have confirmed the nuclear warhead has been tested several times, and is scheduled to be ready for service by 2030.
But, US military chiefs have remained quiet about the deadly nuke, which is said to be among the most significant weapons created.
It can dodge electronic jamming attacks, has stealth capabilities, as well as the potential to drop thermonuclear bombs on its foes.
The US has been covertly testing the weapon for some time, with one of the central reasons behind its advancement being China’s rapidly growing nuclear arms.
Due to its ‘low-observable design’, the missile will be more difficult for enemies to see and destroy, defence experts told 19FortyFive.
Mr Recchio added: ‘This B-52 was using the callsign ‘Torch’, which is commonly used by Edwards (Air Force Base) bombers.
‘By the time it reached me it was at about 4,000-5,000 feet AGL, based on the scanner calls I was listening to and my experience in the field.
‘Like most digital photographers I proceeded to zoom into my LCD to see how the images turned out.
‘To my delight there were a couple of interesting munitions visible on one of the wing pylons.
‘I am by no means an expert in munitions, as I am most concerned with capturing nice images of aircraft, but this was intriguing.’
