Northrop Grumman and the US Air Force continue to improve the combat capabilities of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber fleet by adding many new weᴀponѕ, including long-range stealth cruise missiles, according to an announcement by Northrop Grumman on August 25. The test took place in December 2021, whereby the B-2 successfully launched an AGM-158B JASSM-ER cruise missile.

The US started working on the AGM-158B JASSM-ER version in 2002, the initial estimated range was 925km, but when first tested in 2006, they exceeded the range of 1,000km. The AGM-158B JASSM-ER shares up to 70% of the appearance and up to 95% of the electronics with the AGM-158 JASSM version. In addition to conventional warheads, the missile can also carry nuclear warheads.

According to US military experts, AGM-158B is currently a cruise missile integrated with the most advanced technologies in the world today. The AGM-158B has stealth capabilities, allowing it to penetrate areas with a dense air defense network. The extremely long range allows this missile to be out of the interception ability of the S-300 air defense system and completely enough to take the Russian-made S-400 by surprise. That means enemy air defense systems will be in a passive state, unable to intercept US bombers before they launch missiles. With outstanding power and stealth, the AGM-158B JASSM-ER missile is really a nightmare for many opponents.