New U.S. Bomber and Missile Boost Deterrence Options for Nuclear Triad

When North Korea commits a provocation, the U.S. often responds by conducting a flyover with its strategic bombers. American bombers flew over South Korea after both of Pyongyang’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile tests this month as well as nuclear tests in previous years.

Strategic bombers can display American power and its resolve to defend allies. But this message of deterrence only works when it is credible. For this reason, the United States is developing a new stealth bomber called the B-21 Raider and a new nuclear-tipped cruise missile known as the Long Range Standoff missile (LRSO). These programs will add versatility to the strategic bomber leg of America’s nuclear triad.